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 Late-Discovered Autistic Support & Learning Group

This ongoing support group program is designed for late-discovered Autistic folks to gain support and learn from each other. Facilitated by  Danielle Aubin, MSW (@myautistictherapist on social media)

Welcome!

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This membership-style support group was created for late-discovered Autistic adults who are navigating the journey of figuring out how to unmask, embrace their neurotype and live authentic lives that feel good. This space is not considered therapy. Autistic adults 18+ from anywhere in the world are welcome to join.

 

 

This membership space includes:

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  • TWO Monthly group discussion calls via zoom every 1st & 4th Tuesday of the month 6:30-8pm PST (90 minutes in duration)

  • Access to private lively discord server 

  • We cover topics such as autistic traits, co-occurring conditions (e.g. ADHD), alexithymia, autistic burnout, unmasking, accommodations, accessibility, intersectionality, support needs, relationships, new research, sensory processing, meltdowns, and more!

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FAQs

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What's the cancelation policy?
If you sign up for the monthly plans, you can cancel at any point. Your subscription will renew until you choose to cancel. You can cancel anytime easily on your own via PayPal subscription.

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What is the refund policy?

You are welcome to try out this community risk free. If you decide this membership isn't what you are looking for after signing up, you will receive a full refund, no questions asked. 

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Is my participation confidential?

All participants make an agreement to keep the names and identities of those who participate confidential. This ensures that this group remains safe for everyone and allows authentic sharing to take place. As the facilitator of this group, Danielle will never share your name or any of your personal information with those inside and outside of this group. 

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What are the rules?

The number one rule here is to protect each other’s confidentiality. Please do not share the names of those who participate or any information about themselves that they shared. This is to make this space safe for all of us. 

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The second rule is to keep this space respectful. The autistic community is a diverse one and there are many people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC community, indigenous folks, etc. Please respect and use each other’s preferred pronouns and make an effort to understand the intersectionality and lived experiences of those with multiple marginalized identities beyond being autistic. 

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The third rule is that you can show up to meetings how you need to. You do not need to have your camera on, speak or participate in any way. You can come in and out as you need to. 

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The fourth rule is that this group is to support each other and discuss topics that are related to our experience as late-discovered autistic adults. Since this is not therapy, please do not bring up traumatic material* that would be better discussed with a trained mental health professional. While I am a therapist, I am not providing therapy in this space and therefore, I am not able to provide clinical advice or intervention. 

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The fifth and final rule is to make sure you have signed the coaching consent form prior to participating in this group. The link to the coaching consent form is here: https://www.myautistictherapist.com/consent

 

*(meaning details of abuse, etc that could be traumatic for those listening and/or re-traumatizing for you. If you aren’t sure what this could mean, feel free to message me privately via the zoom chat feature or via email or discord)

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What you can expect from me as a facilitator

I take my role as a facilitator very seriously. I am here to support your growth and health as an Autistic person living in a world that frequently does the opposite. I am committed to being consistent, transparent, and reliable. I arrive at meetings on time, and I follow all the guidelines such as the agreed upon rules to the letter. I will send reminders for meetings, keep a list of upcoming meetings on my website, and respect your time by making sure you receive accurate information about what I offer, when, and how.

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During meetings, I hold space and ensure that the space is safe, especially for those with multiple marginalized identities. This means that I will immediately address any communication that can be perceived as prejudice, cultural appropriation, ableist, microaggression, and invalidation. While I am not perfect, I will try my best to keep this space safe and I will be available and responsive to feedback. I will also model what unmasking and dismantling internalized ableism can look like. I will model honesty, integrity, and accountability. 

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I will keep safe boundaries; I will not seek out dual relationships with anyone who attends the groups I hold. I will not overshare my own personal information in order to protect the group and maintain my role as a facilitator. I will walk my talk and seek out supervision and training so I can continue to grow and be a helpful resource to our community.

 

I am a member of the People of Global Majority (PGM) and/or LGBTQ+ community, is this space safe for me?

This group is founded on the principals of decolonization, de-centering whiteness, & anti-racism. As your facilitator, I am dedicated to ensuring this space is radically inclusive of all marginalized identities through equitable sliding scale (there is a coupon code for PGM) as well as a free membership option for black and indigenous folx. This group is dedicated to creating spaces to speak about marginalized identities and concerns for group members with intersecting identities.  

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How do I join the membership?

To join the membership, you will need to select your sliding scale tier and pay for your first month via PayPal. Once you pay for your first month, you will receive a welcome email with links to the zoom meetings and our lively discord server.  Please review the cost (subscription tiers) prior to applying. 

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I can't afford the membership fee, is there a scholarship fund?

Yes! We currently offer reduce fee spots to members of the People of the global majority (PGM) community. If you are a member of the PGM community and need financial assistance in accessing this group, please use the discount code PGM50 (for 50% off) when selecting the lowest tier (the $75/month tier). If you are black and/or indigenous, you are invited to join this community free of charge. Click here to join for free if you are black and/or indigenous.

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I suspect I am autistic but I am not sure, is this group for me? 

Yes!! We accept people in all stages of their autism-discovery journey. You don't have to know 100% that you are autistic to join this group. There is a large component of this group that is focused on education and learning about what it means to be autistic and what it can look like for each of us. You are welcome here! Come on in. 

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Does this group have an end date? 

No. This group is set to run all of 2024 and hopefully beyond! Members are welcome to pause/cancel/renew their subscription at any point. Members can rejoin the group at any point as long as there is space. 


I’m not sure how it will all work? Will there be an orientation of some kind?
You will receive a welcome email with the zoom link for every upcoming zoom meeting and an invitation to our private discord server. You will be able to ask questions as well as add your own intro and comments to our ongoing discussions on discord.

 

What's the difference between a membership (ongoing support group) vs a typical support group?

Support groups are usually live meetings with no communication or support in between. A ongoing support group such as this one provides a discord server where the community naturally expands and grows to have various supportive resources and conversations such as book clubs, ongoing discussions, deep dives, etc that is available throughout the month as opposed to only during the 60 or 90 minutes allotted to a support group. Some people have been in this community for over a year! This makes it possible to build deeper, more lasting bonds with each other as we explore what late-diagnosis/late-discovery means to us and our lives. 

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What types of topics are discussed?

This will depend on who is in the group at any given time but historically we have talked about: autistic burnout, empathy, new research, loneliness, navigating being misunderstood, trauma, co-occuring conditions, finding a therapist, accessing a diagnosis, financial issues, relationships, career/work, and more. 


Will I be able to work with someone 1-1 if I join?
Although you will have access to individualized attention and support, everything is done communally via group collective discussions on discord and in our zoom meetings. 

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What is Danielle Aubin, MSW's role as the facilitator of this membership community?

Danielle provides facilitation for all of the live meetings to ensure that boundaries are being respected and that everyone's needs are met. Danielle also engages in the discord server in various discussions, offers support and resources, responds to the needs of the community, and facilitates the book club and watch parties. Danielle's role in this group is as a coach and facilitator NOT as a therapist. 


What if I can't attend the group discussion calls?
To ensure safety for the community and to allow for vulnerable discussions about sensitive topics, group discussion calls are not recorded. You will have access to the ongoing discord discussions and resources. 


Is this considered group therapy?
No. This is a mix of education, peer support, and group coaching facilitated by Danielle Aubin, MSW who is an autistic coach. Your informed consent will be required to participate in coaching since there are clear legal differences between coaching and therapy. The informed consent form is located here and you will be asked to sign it once you sign up for the membership. 


Is there a start date or a deadline to enroll?
No. Enrollment is ongoing and continuous as long as there is space. You can enroll at any time and cancel at any time. 

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How many members are active right now?

The answer to the question will vary but we've historically been around 20-40 people. Our meetings are typically attended by around 12-19 people.

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When are the zoom group discussion calls happening in 2024

We have two group discussion calls per month. They fall on the following dates in 2024 (every 1st and 4th Tuesday): 1/2/24, 1/23/24, 2/6/24. 2/27/24, 3/5/24, 3/26/24, 4/2/24, 4/23/24, 5/7/24, 5/28/24, 6/4/24, 6/25/24, 7/2/24, 7/23/24, 8/6/24, 8/27/24, 9/3/24, 9/24/24, 10/1/24, 10/22/24, 11/5/24, 11/26/24, 12/3/24, HOLIDAY on 12/24/24 so meeting will be on 12/17/24 (3rd Tuesday of that month).

 

When are the zoom group discussion calls happening in 2025

We have two group discussion calls per month. They fall on the following dates in 2025 (every 1st and 3rd Tuesday): *skipping 1st Tuesday due to vacation* 1/21/25, 2/4/25, 2/18/25, 3/4/25, 3/18/25, 4/1/25, 4/15/25, 5/6/25, 5/20/25, 6/3/25, 6/17/25, 7/1/25, 7/15/25, 8/5/25, 8/19/25, 9/2/25, 9/16/25, 10/7/25, 10/21/25, 11/4/25, 11/18/25, 12/2/25, 12/16/25

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What is the monthly cost? 

Membership is offered at three different payment levels based on Worts & Cunning's sliding scale for economic justice. Lowest tier is $75 per month, middle tier is $150 per month and highest tier is $200 per month. There are a limited amount of scholarships and reduced fee options for members of the People of the Global Majority (PGM) community (use discount code PGM50 for 50% off of the lowest tier). Black and indigenous folks are invited to join this community free of charge here. **Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility.** 

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Anchor 1
To Sign Up: Select your tier, pay, and you will automatically receive a welcome email links to zoom events & the discord server. 
Anchor 2
Tier 1: $75/month
  • I frequently stress about meeting basic needs & don’t always achieve them

  • I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting my basic needs

  • I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing

  • I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but I am not always able to afford gas

  • I am unemployed or underemployed

  • I qualify for government assistance including food stamps & health care

  • I have no access to savings

  • I have no or very limited expendable income

  • I rarely buy new items because I am unable to afford them

  • I cannot afford a vacation or have the ability to take time off without financial burden

**use code PGM50 to receive 50% off if you are a member of the global majority**

Tier 2: $150/month
  • I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed

  • I have access to health care

  • I might have access to financial savings

  • I have some expendable income

  • I am able to buy some new items & I thrift others

  • I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden

Tier 3: $200/month
  • I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic* needs

  • I may have some debt but it does not prohibit attainment of basic needs

  • I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property

  • I own or lease a car

  • I am employed or do not need to work to meet my needs

  • I have regular access to health care

  • I have access to financial savings

  • I have an expendable** income

  • I can always buy new items

  • I can afford an annual vacation or take time off

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