AutismBC Meets

We believe in the power of community to uplift each other

Everyone needs a place where they feel safe to open up and share their challenges and triumphs. A place to connect with a community of people who understand and can offer advice.

A place to listen, learn, laugh, and cry. AutismBC Meets support groups provide opportunities for people in the autism community to connect, empower, and learn from one another. We believe in the power of community to uplift each other through life’s ups and downs.

“The Meets are a safe space. We can take turns talking, or we can just listen if we don’t feel like talking, on a variety of topics, without judgment.”
~ Katherine

Meets are perfect for those who want a casual atmosphere to interact with other parents, families, or self-advocates. Come with an open heart and mind; you will find your network and maybe friends for life!

Our Meets are hosted virtually via Zoom by our Regional Coordinators and community members. We host groups based on where people are in their journey—for autistic adults, caregivers of adults, and those who are newer to, or further along in, supporting autistic individuals.

Ready to find your group?

View the Meets Schedule

Community Groups

We also understand the importance of in-person connections. We want to support local groups that continue to meet, so we will do our best to keep this list updated and connect you with people nearby.

ONLINE

• Autistic Writers Workshop 
  • Facilitator: Wendy  You can find her at @ThShrtStryEdtr and @BookNeurd
  • contact: [email protected]
  • Typical Meeting the 3rd Wednesday of each month 3-5pm over Zoom 
    • autistics-only space. Any genre, 16yrs+, all bodies and brains are encouraged
• Family Support Insititute (FSI) Various meetings, each with a specific audience and different registration link meetings include: 
  • Newly Diagnosed Autism  
  • Challenging Behaviours
  • Complex Health Needs
  • Aging Caregivers
  • Single Parent Hang Out 
  • Family Hang Out 
  • And more 
• Spouses Support Group
• Neurotypical Adults Married to Aspergers Adults
• Everything Relationships – A monthly (4^th Tuesday of the month) online drop-in to ask and discuss any questions that you have about building and keeping relationships. These monthly sessions will be hosted alternately by Certified Sexual Health Educators Darren Frisk and Sherry Nassrin, and are for individuals who want to build relationships, both professionally & personally. Hosted by Square Peg Society.
• Chronically Queer (CQ) (Independent) 
  • Chronically Queer (CQ) is for 2SLGBTQIA+ people who are neurodivergent, mad, crip, chronically ill, and/or disabled. CQ recognizes that disability is an umbrella term that includes, but is not limited to: physical, sensory, respiratory, cognitive, mental health, learning, temporary, episodic, invisible/non-evident, self-diagnosed, and more.
  • Typical Meeting – 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6- 8 pm
• SIBs Support Group for Primary Caregivers –  private FB group hosts monthly online Zoom meetings. 
  
• Adoptive Families Association of BC – Coffee Chat – This is a new virtual drop-in weekly group. This group is specifically for parents in our community who are parenting children and/or youth with challenging behaviours, complex needs, and/or FASD. It will be for an hour every Tuesday morning from 930-1030 AM (PST) ; bring a coffee, drop in when you can and chat. Note – There will be no professionals in the group besides our Adoptions Specialist Samantha Johnson, who will be there not to run the group but as a support if needed. Please email Sam with any questions, ideas, or suggestions @ [email protected] 

LOWER MAINLAND 

• Vancouver Square Peg Society (Independent)
  • Contact:  Joette or Francine  
  • Meetings Zoom 2nd Sunday of each month at 7 pm 
  • Meeting Walk and Talk 4th Friday of each month 2 pm (contact Francine)
  • Let’s Talk! Monthly meeting for Autistic Adults 
  • Everything Relationships! (4th Tuesday of the month)
• Vancouver, Vancouver Aspergers Autism Union  (Independent)
  • Contact: https://www.meetup.com/aspies/ 
• The Vancouver AUTISM Support Group – Group Facilitator Alex, Vancouver based Private Group Meet-up
• Disabled Community Connection Network (North Shore) 
  • contact: [email protected]
  • Meeting Vary (offered online) Thursday 4-6pm
• Richmond, Richmond Autism Parent Support [RAPS] (Independent)  
  • Contact: [email protected]
  • http://www.rapsupport.org/
• Richmond, Chinese Support Group (Independent)
  • Facilitator: Nancy
  • Contact: [email protected] 
  • Meetings Vary 
• Burnaby, Chinese Support Group (Independent)
  • Facilitator: Mable 
  • Contact: [email protected] 
  • Typical Meeting Time: One Friday a Month 12:15-2:15 PM
    
• Autism Support Network (Independent)
  • https://autismsupportbc.ca/events/
  • Meetings Vary

VANCOUVER ISLAND 

• Sooke (Independent)
  • Facilitator: Sherri
  • Contact: [email protected] 
  • Typical Meeting Time: 4th Tuesday of the month 
• Victoria Autism Meetup Group (Independent)
  • Contact to Join Group
  • Typical Meeting Time: 4th Thursday of Every Month, 7 pm
• Victoria Society for Children with Autism (Parent Coffee Night)
  • Typical Meeting Time: 3^rd Thursday of the Month
  • Sign up Here

NORTHERN BC 

• Prince George (Independent, Virtual) 
  • Facilitator: Casey + Teal 
  • Contact: [email protected]
  • Typical Meeting time: last Monday of every month, 7-8:30 pm, Zoom 
  • We bring in a guest speaker for the first hour, then do an informal Q&A for the last part. It is currently offered online, though we may move to a hybrid format. 
• 100 Mile House (Independent)
  • Facilitator: Brenda 
  • Contact: [email protected]
• Williams Lake
  • Williams Lake the Cariboo Family Enrichment Centers (NFP, In-Person)
  • The group is not specific to autism, on the 1st Monday of each month starting May 2nd, from 1:30-3:00 pm 
• Terrace 
  • Terrace Child Development Center (2 locations) (CDC, in-person) 
    • Various Parent Supports for under 5 years old: 
    • Developmental group (5&under), Parent Drop-in, Self Care (Online) 
    • Park & Eby Calendars – TCDC (terracechilddevelopmentcentre.ca) 
• Eby Centre 
  • Phone: (250) 635-9388 
  • Email: [email protected] 
• Quesnel Child Development Centre (CDC) 
  • Autism Parent Support Group (In-person)
  • Runs the first Monday of the month from 6-8 pm at the Child Development Centre, with childcare provided. 
  • Website: Home | Quesnel & District Child Development Center (quesnelcdc.com)  

• Family Support Institute of BC (NFP, Virtual) 
  • Robyn Kendurkar 
  • Regional Network Coordinator, North East (PG) 
  • Website: Family Support Institute – Strengthening and Connecting Families (familysupportbc.com) 
• Family Smart (NFP, Virtual) 
  • Parent Peer Support: 
  • [email protected] 
  • 1 (855) 887 8004 
  • Website: FamilySmart – Together-Centred™ for Child & Youth Mental Health 

INTERIOR BC 

• Okanagan Self Advocacy Group (once a month, Saturday 1- 2:30 pm)
  • Darryl Harnad, Chair, self-advocate
  • Kyle Youmans, co-chair, self-advocate
  • [email protected]