In order to progress beyond basic awareness of neurodiversity, and in order to address some of the dangerous misconceptions that many people still have in relation to neurodiversity (and especially autism), in 2019 a small group of collaborative autists started coordinating:

1. Regular meetings

… to offer mutual support for neurodivergent individuals and families

Due to the pandemic no meetings took place in 2020, but meetings have resumed in May 2021.

We have organised a venue at the Central City Library:

Te Mārama Room, 44/46 Lorne St, Auckland

The current default schedule is a meeting every second Monday.

Dates and times of upcoming meetings:

• Monday, 24 May 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 21 June 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 5 July 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 19 July 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 2 August 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 16 August 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 30 August 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 13 September 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 27 September 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 11 October 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 8 November 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 22 November 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 6 December 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
• Monday, 20 December 2021, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm

These meetings are an opportunity for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people to meet, learn from each other in a safe space, and coordinate local neurodiversity activism.

Please use the form below to register for specific meetings, so that we can ensure that we have access to a room with adequate capacity. You may submit suggestions for specific topics you would like to talk about. You can also chose to simply listen to the discussion. There is no pressure whatsoever to actively contribute to the discussion.

In case you have trouble finding the room, please email Jorn Bettin, and one of the participants will pick you up from the main entrance of the library.

You can also participate in these meetings ➜ via Zoom, but please understand that we’ll only admit you to the meeting if we recognise your name, or if you have registered in advance via the form above.

Further meetings and updates will be published on this page.

2. Public panel discussions

… between neurodivergent people, including Q&A with the audience, to present a realistic non-pathologising picture of neurodiversity, and to educate the public about neurodivergent perspectives on living in a neurotypical world.

These events are an opportunity for the general public to learn more about neurodiversity and autism, and also about the connection between neurodiversity and human creativity.

We are conscious of the current level of discrimination against autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people. You can participate in the meetings and panel discussions without publicly disclosing your identity. If you would like to get involved, please email Jorn Bettin.

Upcoming events:

We are currently coordinating a series of international online panel discussions as part of the global Ban Conversion Therapies project.

You can listen to these discussions and submit questions or topics you would like to see discussed ➜ on this page.