🗓️ Date: November 16th, 2025, Sunday
📍 Location: Bardo Coffee House- 3333 S Wadsworth Blvd Unit C105, Lakewood CO 80027
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00PM
📔 Event Description:  Coffee and conversation

💵 Cost: $8.00 
You're welcome to bring guests — please purchase one ticket per guest. Please feel free to bring any sensory supports that help you feel comfortable, as the venue may get louder during peak times.
✅ Registration: To join us for this event, please register and pay online in advance. This helps us with attendance, provides information for emergency contact, and facilitates planning for space allocation. Registration is required to attend.

Questions/concerns: please email groups@autismcolorado.org, leahrosenthal@autismcolorado.org, and text Leah Rosenthal's cell at 617-680-4499.

The purpose of autistic social meetups for adults is to foster connection, reduce isolation, and build community in a space where autistic people can socialize without pressure to mask or perform.

Each gathering is a structured, activity-based social event led by facilitators. We start with a welcome and brief overview of what to expect, followed by guided activities designed to support social interaction in comfortable, low-pressure ways. Facilitators help spark conversations using direct or visual communication and encourage participants to engage at their own pace. 

Our goal is to create low-pressure, accessible, and respectful opportunities to connect and meet others in person. To create an environment where autistic people can build community on their own terms and engage in whatever way feels right for them, and without having to mask who they are. 

Our program recognizes that traditional group outings may not often meet everyone's sensory, communication, or pacing needs and aims to do things differently. 

Here’s what that usually means:

• Predictability: We provide clear details in advance—what’s happening, when, where, and what to expect.
• Flexibility: There’s no pressure to talk, stay the whole time, or participate in any specific social facilitation activity such as icebreakers, conversation starters, etc. You can engage in the way that works best for you.
• Sensory Awareness: We choose locations with lower sensory load, offer quiet spaces or breaks, and support stimming or sensory tools.
• Consent & Boundaries: We emphasize consent in conversations, touch, and interactions. There’s no expectation to “perform” or mask.
• Supportive Spaces: Participants can bring a trusted support (friend, family, caregiver) if it helps them feel comfortable.
• Interest-Based Activities: Outings may include visits to museums, nature walks, cozy cafés, accessible activities, or other places that are enriching without being overwhelming.​​​