Tips to creating a community gathering

A few steps can create community and rallying for you and your adult on the autism spectrum.

Tips for creating a community gathering

The following are tips for holding your own community gathering. Enjoy!

DECISION

• Make a decision to ask for help!

SET DATE

• Select people from your network who can answer questions about autism, resources, or your adult. They can help answer questions so that you can listen.

• Consider advocates, teachers, friends with children/adults on the spectrum.

• Determine their availability and set date.

RSVP

• Create a SAVE THE DATE flyer, email, or a social post asking people you know to attend.

• Remember, the more people you invite, the more options for assistance you will get.

• Include Zoom or Teams meeting link.

DETERMINE NEEDS

• Brainstorms every area of your life and that of your adult.

• What do you need? 

• What type of resources, help, guidance would your family benefit from?

• Drill down, be specific.

PRE-MEETING

• Share background information with potential participants that will help them prepare for the event:

  • What is Autism?

  • Where is Your Adult on the Spectrum?

  • What is a Gathering to you?

  • What Topics will be discussed?

• Share Zoom or Teams link

DURING THE MEETING

• Record meeting

• Encourage participants to drop resources into the chat

• Be Flexible, let people ask questions and think out loud

• Capture names and topics as participants express a willingness to help or to know more

SAVE

• Don’t forget to Save the chat!

POST-MEETING

• Follow up. Send group Thank You notes, give assignments and provide a vehicle for people to see needs and self select, eg, Google Docs, Trello. 

• ACCEPT HELP!

• Continue to share needs, feedback, and wins!!!!