Exploring Your Autistic Identity: December Meet-Up for Autistic Adults

Join Our Thriving Autistic Community Monthly Meet-up

Come join our relaxed and inclusive monthly meet-up for recently self- or formally identified Autistic adults. Facilitated by Autistic professionals (psychologists, therapists, and coaches), this is a space where you can connect, share, and learn.

Every month, we shape our discussions based on community feedback, focusing on the topics that matter most to you. Breakout rooms provide smaller, focused spaces to explore different topics, and you’re free to move between rooms during the event. Previous discussions have included friendships, pet and animal appreciation, coping with holidays and change, disclosing your diagnosis, adapting your environment for sensory needs, managing burnout, sensory joys, intense passions, parenting and exploring Autistic communication styles. Share your ideas to help guide future meet-ups!

This meetup is open to Autistic adults over 18 who can communicate in English. You’re welcome to actively participate—using your voice, text chat, or AAC—or simply listen in. Bring your pets, stim toys, or other comfort items to make yourself at ease.

BREAKOUT ROOMS:

💬 Deeper Conversations (Ayhan Alman - he/they)

If you find that you’d like to talk about something more personal or explore something that’s currently sitting with you, this is the space for that.

This room is held with support in mind, so that the other rooms can remain lighthearted and educational.

🌟 Autistic Joy (Gem Kennedy - they/them)

In this room we’ll explore what it might be like to move beyond a focus on survival mode and connect with what brings us genuine joy.

We’ll talk about protecting space for our interests, allowing ourselves to experience joy whether our interests are considered “cool” or not, and reclaiming pleasure as Autistics.

🌿 Autistic and Over 50 (John Pendal - he/him)

If you find out you’re autistic over the age of 50 you might face extra some challenges: Burnout can be more entrenched. You might be more exhausted after an assessment, as you have more life experience to reframe and more memories to shift through.

Younger people seem more adept at changing jobs or asking for accommodations at work - but older people might have been in one job for life, and the idea of changing that now or asking for accommodations is terrifying. You might also be dealing with changing hormones, health issues, long covid … which can make autistic traits more pronounced. Plus it’s scary to find out something so big so late in life! This is a room to share and have our older life experiences validated.

🎄 It’s the most wonderful time of the year….or is it? (Rowena Mahmud - she/her)
For many parent/carers this time of year can be anything but wonderful. This room will be a relaxed space to share our experiences, offer ideas, off load and be in community. Tinsel optional.

🤝 Peer Connection Room (Unfacilitated)

Sometimes the best conversations happen when there’s no set topic—just a chance to be yourself and connect. This is a quiet, unfacilitated space where you can chat with others, share thoughts, or simply sit in companionable silence. There’s no agenda, just room for spontaneous connection and mutual understanding.

Important Notes for Attendees

This meetup is not suitable if you are in severe distress or at risk, as topics may be triggering. Please seek professional support before attending. For immediate help, text 50808 (Ireland), 85258 (UK), or 741741 (USA/Canada), or contact a trusted person or emergency services.

Donations

This event is offered on a donation basis, with contributions between €1 to €20 appreciated to help cover costs and support those who are financially disadvantaged. If you are unable to contribute, please select the free ticket option.

We warmly invite you to become a member of Thriving Autistic to access more resources, have a voice in our community, and stay informed about future events. You can also click “Follow” on our Eventbrite page to receive updates.

For additional details, please see the FAQ section.