Autism pride group
for teens in the Lower Mainland (Vancouver)
As autistic folks, we look at the world in our own ways—ways we can appreciate and understand when we share our experiences with one another. This autism pride group is for university-bound teens in grades 10-12. It’s a chance for us to share our experiences, perspectives and strategies, and to just hang out and have fun with other people who get it.
The group will be facilitated by a 3rd year UBC student who is autistic himself, and can help teens get a sense of what it’s like to transition to university when you’re on the spectrum. Our sessions will be informal and fun: We’ll meet for 90 minutes and do something fun (like play a board game or assemble a Lego kit together) and maybe watch a short video or two to inspire a conversation about some part of autistic experience (like our food preferences, or what it’s like to meet new people, or our favourite kinds of jokes). The meetings will take place at a family home in Kitsilano, Vancouver.
This is a pilot project, so we’re going to start with a group of 4 to 6 teens, meeting once a month over the summer, and perhaps more often during the school year. (Depending on who is interested and when you’re available, we could wait until the fall before we start meeting.) There is no cost to participating in the pilot program.
If this group sounds like it could be a fit for you or teen, please contact Alexandra Samuel (alex@alexandrasamuel.com), the parent of one of the participating teens. Please share your teen’s age and interests, and any hopes or questions for this group.