Association for Autism and Neurodiversity

The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) helps Autistic and similarly Neurodivergent people build meaningful, connected lives. We provide individuals, families, and professionals with education, community, and support, in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect.

“Many people get a diagnosis. I got a support community, an avocation, a life purpose, and a second family.” – AANE Community Member (adult on the autism spectrum)

Information

Information and Referral Consultations: Our staff fields over 500 phone and email inquiries each month from adults on the spectrum, family members, and professionals seeking information about resources and services.

Website: More than 1,100,000 individual users from around the world visited the AANE website in FY 21.

Newsletter: Our online monthly newsletter is distributed to over 30,000 people features original content by autistic adults, family members of autistic individuals, and professionals who work with our community.

Social Media: AANE’s Facebook page has 21,000+ followers, including 2,000+ new followers over the past year. Our YouTube channel has 2,150 subscribers, and our Girls and Autism video has been viewed over 25,000 times.

Education

Online Learning: Our virtual learning opportunities are accessible to community members located anywhere, and include webinars, courses, and clinician-led online groups.

In-person workshops and seminars: Instructional programming for adults, families, and professionals is offered at our office and in the community. Recent topics for adults on the autism spectrum included: “How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider”, “How to File a Tax Return”, and “Understanding Credit Reports and Managing Debt”.

Neurology Matters in Couples Therapy: This comprehensive online training course, housed under the Peter M. Friedman Neurodiverse Couples Institute, teaches therapists how to work effectively with neurodiverse couples and a new course 101 for Couples teaches couples how to recognize and understand neurodiversity in a relationship.

Community

Conferences: AANE offers six conferences per year, featuring internationally recognized keynote speakers (most recently Tony Attwood and Temple Grandin), first-person accounts, and panel discussions.

AANE Uncommon Gala: Our annual gala is a one of a kind, autism-friendly event featuring modifications to better suit the sensory, social, and emotional needs of people on the autism spectrum.

Social Events: AANE hosts numerous social events and outings throughout the calendar year for adults on the spectrum, parents, couples, and families.

Interest Series & Makers’ Series Social Groups: Groups of adults on the spectrum meet in-person for 6-8 weekly meetings and participate in activities focused on a shared interest.

“I have been around the block (many, many laps around the block) in looking for good resources, and it is such a relief and comfort to have found AANE.” – AANE Parent Coaching Client

Support

Support Groups: Groups of varying sizes that meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, either in-person or online. Examples: Adults, Young Adults, Over 50, Women, Gay Men, Gender Identity/Autism, Parents of Children/Teens, Parents of Transition Age Youth, Parents of Adults.

Parent Coaching: Individualized problem solving and skill-building for parents of children, teens, or adults to address a child and family’s unique needs at home, at school, at work, or out in the community.

LifeMAP: An intensive, practical, and highly individualized life coaching program that helps clients use their strengths to identify and overcome particular barriers they face. Goals can range from securing employment to increasing independence and improving quality of life.

LifeNet: A new, highly individualized case management service providing long term support and personal advocacy to adults on the autism spectrum as they live independently. Each LifeNet client is supported by a team of people who help address unmet needs across a full range of lifelong responsibilities and everyday tasks.