Winter Sensory-Friendly Concert
2025-02-18 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Join an engaging and interactive concert experience in a relaxed environment where all audience members are welcome to be who they are while enjoying music with family and friends. This concert takes place in the Target Atrium, where you can see and hear the instruments up close and ask questions in a more intimate setting. Hosted by Lyndie Walker, MT-BC from Toneworks Music Therapy Services, this program features a Minnesota Orchestra musician and talented guest artists from the community.
The Minnesota Orchestra’s Sensory-Friendly small ensemble concerts are inclusive experiences for all ages, including individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities.
Musician information and concert program will be added in the weeks leading up to the concert.
Fidgets, noise-canceling headphones and quiet spaces are available at all Sensory-Friendly Concerts. A pre-visit story and program are also available to help prepare for the event; scroll down the page for these resources. Stand-alone chairs provide for flexible seating and open space is available for those who wish to sit on the floor or move around the room.

MNProv Mixer Virtual
2025-02-19 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-02-26 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-05 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-12 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
The MNprov Mixers are a safe place for neurodivergent adults (18+) to have fun, meet new people, increase confidence, and decrease stress. No experience necessary. This event is FREE. Come every week, or only once, or somewhere in-between.
Improv is inherently inclusive. All participants are needed for a scene to succeed, and everyone’s suggestions are incorporated into the scene. The improv rule of “Yes, and . . .” allows participants to feel safe and supported and more willing to take risks. As players say “YES” to each other and add their own ideas, they build trust and create something brand new together.
This is a small group activity with fewer than 20 participants. Individuals are welcome to take breaks as needed. Participants are encouraged to let us know how we can best support them. Because this is on ZOOM, participants from greater Minnesota have an accessible way to attend.
A social narrative about the MNprov Mixers workshops and a registration link can be found on our website.

See Me Neurodiverse support meeting
2025-02-19 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-03-19 19:00 - 20:30 | See Me Neurodiverse, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage, MN, 55378
This is a support meeting for the parents and caregivers of the neurodiverse to share our journeys together and help spread our wealth of resources to the community!
See Me’s main event that we host is a Family/Caregiver Support Meeting. We meet for an in-person support group on the first Thursday and the third Wednesday of every month.
These meetings provide a safe space for parents/guardians/anyone who needs additional support while caring for neurodiverse children. Our mission for this support group is to connect, share, and support one another on our journey.

AuSM Family Members of Adults on the Spectrum Support Group
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Parents, caregivers, and other family members of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (18+) gather to discuss challenges, triumphs, and strategies for support. This group is held virtually only.

MNProv Mixer In-Person
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-02-27 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-06 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-13 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-03-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Youth Performance Company, 641 Fairview Ave N Suite 191, Saint Paul, MN, 55104, United States

Alice in Wonderland Jr. Relaxed Performance
2025-02-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Forest Lake Area High School, 6101 Scandia Trail N, Forest Lake, MN, 55025, United States
For every mainstage show in our season, Children’s Performing Arts hosts a Relaxed Performance (formerly known as Sensory-Friendly). This allows patrons with sensory, social, physical, and cognitive needs (including young children) to attend a production in a safe and welcoming environment. Modifications to this performance include lights remaining dim in the audience, elimination of intense lighting and sound effects, and audiences being free to move around the space and make any noises they need to make. A quiet space is also available outside of the theatre for patrons who need to take a break. Sensory kits including sunglasses, noise dampening headphones, and fidgets are available to be checked out and patrons are welcome to bring adaptive seating or other resources that they may need.

AuSM Independent Adults with ASD Support Group
2025-02-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder gather in this typically larger group to support each other, socialize, and discuss common interests and concerns. This group is held virtually only.

The Unplanned Journey: Managing family relationships when you have one or more children with disabilities
2025-03-05 18:30 - 19:30 | Family Achievement Center, 2101 Wooddale Dr Ste A, Woodbury, MN, 55125, United States
Join Beth Neu, owner/therapist at Constellations Psychotherapy and Coaching for a free educational event. In “The Unplanned Journey”, Beth Neu, a mental health practitioner, will explore what is sometimes underneath these difficulties and provide ways to communicate with individual and extended family members and supporters. Beth will guide a discussion about how spouses may respond to supporting a child with a disability, the sibling experience, and how and what to communicate to extended family and other sources of support. Come and join others to share in a discussion of how the remarkable journey of parenting a child with a disability change everyone involved and ultimately creates strength, hope and joy in ways not previously imagined.

What's New With the Zones of Regulation?
2025-03-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
Join us for an engaging 2-hour webinar with Leah Kuypers, the visionary behind The Zones of Regulation. This session will unveil the updated Zones of Regulation Digital Curriculum, highlighting its evolved framework and enriched resources designed for effective teaching and learning. Discover how the Digital Curriculum incorporates the latest research, neurodiverse-affirming practices, and Universal Design for Learning to create a meaningful and impactful experience for learners with diverse support needs. You’ll also receive a guided tour of the new Zones curriculum, showcasing its interactive features, updated visuals, and expanded resources. The webinar includes an exclusive interview with Leah, where she’ll share her insights and answer your questions, empowering you to confidently embrace the next chapter of The Zones of Regulation.

AuSM Women's Support Group
2025-03-06 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Women with Autism Spectrum Disorder gather to discuss challenges, strategies, and topics unique to being a woman on the spectrum. This group is held virtually only.

See Me Neurodiverse support meeting
2025-03-06 19:00 - 20:30 | See Me Neurodiverse, 6000 McColl Drive, Savage, MN, 55378
This is a support meeting for the parents and caregivers of the neurodiverse to share our journeys together and help spread our wealth of resources to the community!
These meetings provide a safe space for parents/guardians/anyone who needs additional support while caring for neurodiverse children. Our mission for this support group is to connect, share, and support one another on our journey.
First Thursday of month 7-8:30pm and Every third Wednesday from 7-8:30pm

Saturday Fun/Respite Day
2025-03-08 13:00 - 17:00 | Laura Baker Services Association, 211 Oak Street, Northfield, MN, 55053
TIME FOR RESPITE AND SOCIAL INTERACTION
A monthly program for families who care for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Adults and children ages 5 and above with special needs who live at home with their families are welcome to join LBSA on the second Saturday of the month for crafts, games, outdoor activities, and snacks. Sign-up on the LBSA website, https://www.laurabaker.org/services/family-support/
The events are designed to provide a few hours of respite for caregivers and social interaction for participants. Pre-registration is required. Families must complete an enrollment medical form prior to the event. $20 per person fee is charged for each event; fee waivers are available for those that qualify.

Sensory Friendly Sunday at the Walker Art Center
2025-03-09 08:00 - 11:00 | Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly event is designed for kids, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism spectrum disorder or developmental disabilities. From 8 am to 11 am on the second Sunday of the month, the galleries will be closed to the general public, and sound and light levels will be adjusted, allowing visitors to enjoy the museum in a calm environment with accommodations such as quiet spaces, fidgets, and sunglasses available. Experience select Walker exhibitions, make art, watch a short film, or just hang out in a different setting. Featured exhibitions and activities change each month. Visit https://walkerart.org/visit/sensory-friendly-sundays/ for more information or to register.
Sensory Friendly Sunday was developed in consultation with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) and the University of Minnesota’s Occupational Therapy Program.
For more information about accessibility at the Walker, visit our Access page: https://walkerart.org/visit/accessibility.

Understanding Autism
2025-03-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
Understanding Autism is AuSM’s introductory class. You’ll learn all about the diagnosis, common characteristics, and some basic evidenced-based best practices to support autistic individuals and sensory processing sensitivities. Each session lasts one hour with time for you to ask specific questions.
Who Should Participate
Caregivers, parents, grandparents, group home and day program staff, Personal Care Attendants, and health care staff will benefit from this class. *Note, this is a single-session class. Content is the same for all sessions. AuSM offers these sessions at different times to accommodate as many schedules as possible. When registering, select the session that works best for you.

AuSM Adult Coffee Club
2025-03-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Dogwood Coffee, 2700 University Ave W Suite 100, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Coffee Club is a space where autistic and neurodiverse adults can connect with each other, foster friendships, and build community while enjoying a favorite beverage and/or snack. Adults are welcome to bring items that make them feel comfortable, can stay as long as they’d like, stim, and parallel play. We ask that participants purchase something from our venues.
AuSM will provide a concierge staff person to help assist with questions, check-in, help with ordering, and manage any issues that arise during the club. AuSM will provide a number of resources, including a social narrative providing club details, parking info, menus, and more. Due to staffing, AuSM is unable to provide one-to-one support, however it is encouraged to bring your own PCA or support person if needed.

AuSM Professional Networking Group
2025-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
If you’re a professional who works with autistic clients – or are working towards your licensure so you can – AuSM’s Counseling and Consulting team has a resource to help you connect with therapists in our space. AuSM’s Professional Networking Group offers a chance for therapists to meet with other professionals who see clients with autism to ask questions, share cases, and build peer-to-peer relationships.
This group is meant for:

Therapists
Psychologists
Occupational therapists
Psychiatrists
Social workers
Case managers
Healthcare providers

As we meet, one member of AuSM’s staff will share an anonymized case study, then open the group for others to share relevant experiences that we can all learn from. This is a great opportunity to troubleshoot your problems and learn from the wisdom of other professionals as we work through challenging cases.
With increased diagnosis of autism, therapists are becoming aware that they need to increase competency in serving these clients; this group can help. We paused this networking group during the pandemic, but now it’s time we pick it back up. Like you, we’ve learned a lot since this group last met. Eager to likewise learn and share? Let’s talk it out – and then keep it going.

Leyes, Procedimientos y Cómo Abogar por tus Hijos en Educación Especial
2025-03-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual Event
Entender el Programa de Educación Individualizado (IEP) es clave para garantizar que tu hijo reciba el apoyo que necesita en la escuela. En este taller, aprenderás sobre el papel de los padres en el proceso del IEP, las garantías procesales que protegen los derechos educativos de los niños y qué debe incluir un IEP efectivo. Además, te proporcionaremos herramientas esenciales para que puedas defender con confianza los derechos de tu hijo y asegurarte de que su plan educativo sea el adecuado. ¡Empodérate con el conocimiento para abogar por su futuro!
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81012564090

AuSM LGBTQIA Support Group
2025-03-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who identify as LGBTQIA gather to discuss topics related to the intersection of autism and gender/sexuality. This group is held virtually only.

Sensory Friendly Saturday, Bell Museum
2025-03-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Bell Museum, St. Paul, Minnesota
Sensory Friendly Visits

The quietest time to visit the museum is late afternoon, when we have fewer visitors and our space is generally uncrowded. Be sure to check out the items you can borrow at the museum below!
Sensory friendly resources
Visitors are welcome to check out additional resources like our quiet spaces. You can borrow a sensory pack with tools such as visual timers, weighted lap pads, and hearing protection if it helps make the visit more enjoyable, and a social narrative is available for download to prepare for your visit. (Note, this is currently not accurate with COVID-19 procedures. Check out this general social narrative from the Autism Society of Minnesota). Read more about the museum’s other accessibility resources here.
Sensory Friendly Saturday
Prepare for your visit to Sensory Friendly Saturday with a short video – click here to watch.

bellinfo@umn.edu
612.626-9660

Policy Power: Advocacy Skills For an Inclusive Future
2025-03-15 10:00 - 13:30 | Autism Society of Minnesota, 2380 Wycliff St. Ste. 102, Saint Paul, MN, 55114, United States
Dive into the world of civic engagement and disability advocacy in this dynamic, three-session course led by AuSM’s Policy Director. Tailored for adults with autism and their allies, this program welcomes participants from intersecting marginalized communities and will provide accommodations to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
The course begins with an exploration of disability history in the U.S., celebrating civil rights victories while identifying ongoing challenges in areas like education, healthcare, employment, and housing. Participants will collaborate on projects to envision policy changes and will gain an understanding of how ideas transform into laws.
Session 2 shifts to hands-on practice, where participants present individual ideas, form workgroups around shared goals, and draft mock legislation. They’ll also learn key advocacy skills, such as storytelling, meeting facilitation, and lobbying regulations.
In the final session, a current or former state legislator will join to provide real-world insights and feedback during mock meetings. Participants will leave with concrete advocacy tools, established coalitions, and actionable goals to drive future change for the disability community.
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just starting your civic journey, this course equips you with the knowledge, skills, and connections to make a lasting impact.
