This is how I would consider structuring a local group if it was upon me to organize one. I would set it up with a core group consisting of adult Aspies, and then two auxilliary groups, one for youth Aspies and another for NT friends and family who are willing supporters.
This may seem like an implication that Aspies are superior, but it's not. It's more to level the playing field. NT's can easily manipulate group dynamics. If the purpose of the core group is to demonstrate the capability of Aspies to lead and solve problems, then frankly, letting an NT into the same leadership heirarchy would be like letting a bull into a china shop. It would be taken-over in less than a month. There has to be a place and time for the Aspies, but at the same time others who are with us cannot be left out. The friends-and-family auxilliary would let them participate without mowing us down. There are areas where we could use them anyway, such as with grassroots lobbying. The other auxilliary group, for young Aspies, lets them have time for issues of their generation while the adults handle the issues of "Generation X" and older, along with the highly controversial issues that might offend parents to the point of pulling their kids out.
Meetings would start out with all three groups in a single session, followed by breakout sessions of the core and two auxilliaries. What I'm imagining here is not a "support group" but rather a group oriented toward action and exercising the fabled positive aspects of AS.
What are your thoughts on this?
I like your idea. On one hand, I was looking for a place that was NOT dominated by overzealous parents pontificating and beating their personal war drum of the curbie. On the other hand, I am extremely shy of strangers and social situations and want my partner/friend with me. I refuse to go in seminars (for other things) where they try to split us into different rooms. So at least your plan, of having a combined meeting at the beginning, gives people an option to leave when the first part is over and maybe over time they will get comfortable enough to go to the other parts. Or maybe they can arrive late because they don't want to go to the first part. Though I imagine you'd get some protest from people who want a caregiver to stick with them.
What I'm imagining here is not a "support group" but rather a group oriented toward action and exercising the fabled positive aspects of AS.
Oh, I'm not sure if I misunderstood. Are you speaking of a political group for a "cause" rather than a social one?
Oh, I'm not sure if I misunderstood. Are you speaking of a political group for a "cause" rather than a social one?
It could be both. It would be social, just so there would be a way to connect to the others like you in the same area. It would go political only when something important is going on, like for example, a local politician is schmoozing with the curebies and letters need to be written. The main thing is being connected to the others, so that when a situation of "managing our own public image" comes up (e.g. responding to a negative article in the news), everybody knows each other and can coordinate.
Breakout sessions do not necessarily have to be in separate rooms. From my experience with the local sci-fi fandom, public meeting space is hard to get a hold of (e.g. the "party room" in a restaurant). Most likely, the breakout sessions would end up in the corners of the same room, and you would only be a few feet away from your partner, caretaker, etc. It would be better if it's in the corners of the same room anyway. There may be questions between the subgroups, even during breakout sessions. Also, the kids' group would be less likely to get rowdy if there are adults in the room.
This is how I would consider structuring a local group if it was upon me to organize one. I would set it up with a core group consisting of adult Aspies, and then two auxilliary groups, one for youth Aspies and another for NT friends and family who are willing supporters.
This may seem like an implication that Aspies are superior, but it's not. It's more to level the playing field. NT's can easily manipulate group dynamics. If the purpose of the core group is to demonstrate the capability of Aspies to lead and solve problems, then frankly, letting an NT into the same leadership heirarchy would be like letting a bull into a china shop. It would be taken-over in less than a month. There has to be a place and time for the Aspies, but at the same time others who are with us cannot be left out. The friends-and-family auxilliary would let them participate without mowing us down. There are areas where we could use them anyway, such as with grassroots lobbying. The other auxilliary group, for young Aspies, lets them have time for issues of their generation while the adults handle the issues of "Generation X" and older, along with the highly controversial issues that might offend parents to the point of pulling their kids out.
Meetings would start out with all three groups in a single session, followed by breakout sessions of the core and two auxilliaries. What I'm imagining here is not a "support group" but rather a group oriented toward action and exercising the fabled positive aspects of AS.
What are your thoughts on this?
As a NT mother (does having ADHD matter) who recently just joined this website I think your idea is a great one!!! I just want society to accept my son and embrace him for who he his not what he is diagnosed with. As a parent your idea for the strucure of a local group is a great one and I only wish that they would do that where I live. I found this website randomly and I find it so helpful. I read alot to try to help me understand more about my son not to change or "cure" him. It has helped me understand why my son constantly wants to chew on stuff and why he might not always look at me. I used to be part of a support group but I stopped going due to the fact that I felt like it was 1 hour a week for parents to complain about there children.......
I just wanted to write that this is sort of how our local group works, and it is really quite good. There is one big group, and a breakout group of adult Aspies only. The big group is NTs (or so they would have us believe: if autism is over 90% genetic, then they are to some extent obviously deluding themselves) and Aspies, with kids of both groups. I was about ready to quit the big group, being content with the adult Aspie group that met separately on a different day, anyway, when the breakout group concept began, and that keeps me going. But it's definitely a self-narrating zoo exhibit situation sometimes, with the NT parents looking at us adult Aspies as the bizarro people they're afraid their children will grow into. And it's just understandably difficult for the adult Aspies to sit around and listen to these NT parents complaining about their Aspie kids. UH, HELLO, we were just like them!! And it's really not that bad!!! ARGHHHHH. But hanging out with the adult Aspies is the best darn thing in the world. Finally, some ACCEPTANCE! Finally, some UNDERSTANDING! Finally, some COMRADES!! Hooray!!!