Peer Connections & Support

Sometimes What We Need Most Is Each Other

There are times when what someone needs isn't another appointment, assessment, treatment plan, service, or professional relationship.

Sometimes we just need people.

Someone to talk to. Someone who shares an interest. Someone who understands an experience without needing a ten-minute explanation first. Somewhere to laugh, listen, talk, make friends, share what is happening in our lives, or simply spend time around people where we don't have to pretend to be somebody we're not.

That's the heart behind THRIVE Peer Connections & Support.

We want to create welcoming, nonclinical spaces where autistic people and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can connect with peers, build genuine relationships, share experiences and interests, and know they have a community where they belong.

You don't have to be outgoing. You don't have to communicate a certain way. You don't have to participate in every conversation or activity. And you certainly don't have to walk into your first meeting ready to make five new best friends.

Sometimes connection starts simply by showing up.

Come as you are. There is room for you here.

Find Your Connection

Teen Peer Connections | Ages 12–17

Being a teenager is complicated enough without feeling like you're the only person who experiences the world the way you do.

Teen Peer Connections will give autistic and IDD teens opportunities to meet other teens, share interests, talk about things that matter to them, have fun, and build friendships in a welcoming environment.

Some gatherings may include a topic, activity, game, or shared interest. Others may simply give teens space to talk and connect. Nobody has to participate in exactly the same way.

You don't have to figure out how to fit in here. You already belong.

Young Adult Peer Connections | Ages 18–29

The transition into adulthood can bring a lot with it—school ending, employment, relationships, independence, changing services, new responsibilities, figuring out where you fit, and trying to decide what you actually want your adult life to look like.

It can also be surprisingly difficult to find places to meet people and build real friendships.

Young Adult Peer Connections will provide a space for autistic and IDD young adults to meet peers, build friendships, share experiences and interests, talk about adulthood, laugh, have fun, and simply enjoy having a community of people their own age.

This isn't a class on how to become an adult.

It's a place to experience adulthood alongside people who may understand parts of the journey.

Adult Peer Connections | Ages 30+

The need for friendship, connection, fun, shared interests, and belonging doesn't disappear when someone reaches adulthood.

Yet opportunities to build those relationships can become harder to find.

Adult Peer Connections will provide autistic adults and adults with IDD opportunities to meet others, develop friendships, share interests and experiences, participate in conversations and activities, and build community.

Some people may come because they're looking for friendship. Others may enjoy having people to share an interest with. Some may love the activities. Others may simply appreciate having somewhere they can show up, spend time with other adults, and be themselves.

There is no expiration date on friendship, community, or belonging.

Parent, Family & Caregiver Connection

The people supporting someone with autism or an intellectual or developmental disability need connection too.

Parents, family members, caregivers, and guardians can spend an incredible amount of time searching for information, navigating systems, advocating, attending meetings, solving problems, making difficult decisions, celebrating victories, worrying about what's next, and trying to make the best decisions they can for someone they care about.

And sometimes that can feel incredibly isolating.

Sometimes you don't need another brochure, another website, or another professional telling you what you should be doing.

Sometimes you need somebody who gets it.

Parent, Family & Caregiver Connection will provide a welcoming place to share experiences, exchange ideas and resources, ask questions, celebrate successes, talk through challenges, and connect with others who understand that every person and every family's journey is different.

This isn't a place for judging someone's parenting, caregiving, family, or choices. Nobody should have to prove that they're doing everything perfectly before they're allowed to need support themselves.

It's about creating community for the people who spend so much of their lives supporting someone else.

Connection Looks Different for Everyone

There isn't one right way to participate.

Some people communicate verbally. Some communicate in other ways. Some people jump into conversations immediately. Others need time to become comfortable. Some love groups and activities. Others may prefer listening, observing, or connecting with one or two people.

Different doesn't mean less connected.

THRIVE Peer Connections are intended as nonclinical peer and community support. They are not therapy, counseling, crisis services, or a replacement for professional care.

Participation is voluntary, and we want the people who actually participate in these groups to have a voice in what they become. Topics, activities, meeting styles, and future opportunities should reflect the interests and needs of the people who are actually showing up—not simply what someone else thinks they should need.

The age ranges listed for our peer groups are general guidelines. We recognize that age alone doesn't always determine where someone feels most comfortable or connected, and individual circumstances and preferences may be considered when determining the best group fit.

We're Building This Together

These groups are still being developed, and that's okay.

We would rather build something meaningful with the people who will actually use it than decide everything for them before they ever walk through the door.

As THRIVE grows, we'll add meeting schedules, locations and/or virtual options, participation information, topics, activities, and other details here.

But the heart of these groups will stay the same:

You deserve more than services.

You deserve friendship. You deserve connection. You deserve community.

You deserve a place where you belong.