Starting a Group in the Community Toolkit

We often hear from autistic adults and their families about the need for more resources in their community, in the form of groups and connections to others. And oftentimes, we can take this into our own hands and create just the group you need. 

The purpose of this toolkit is to offer some helpful information on starting a group in your community (locally and online). Whether you want to start a support group, peer group, or a group to hang out, talk about a topic, hobby, or interest, this toolkit will walk you through the steps.

• Types of groups
• Establishing your personal and group goals
• Starting a Group Self-Assessment
• Meeting Online?
• Meeting In Person?
• Group Membership
• Getting the Word Out
• Group Structure
• Starting the Group
• Promoting a Safe Space
• Keeping the Momentum Going

This toolkit is for all members of the autism community to get on the same page around a specific topic. 

In whatever role(s) you occupy, you can use this guide to support your knowledge on the topic, share information with others in your support networks, and use this guide in discussions about locating appropriate resources.

Each individual is in a different place and can benefit from learning about ideas and ways to support or seek support.