Women’s Peer Group ⚧
This program is for women, gender non-conforming, and gender-diverse individuals who self-identify as Autistic.
The group meets twice a month with intake available year-round.
Connect. Validate. Grow. Build Community.
Be part of a natural and fulfilling space for individuals with similar lived experiences.
Led by Autistic Facilitators & a Clinical Social Worker, the group aims to create a sense of belonging, where every person is seen, heard and valued just as they are.
The group meets twice a month to discuss a rotating range of topics. Sessions take place online via Zoom and occasionally in-person in the Lower Mainland.
⚧ The transgender symbol in the name denotes that the group is open to all women, gender non-conforming, and gender-diverse individuals who self-identify as Autistic.
Additionally, a formal autism diagnosis is not required.
Group members must have a registered account and be of the correct age when the program starts.
What to expect:
This program follows a ‘drop-in’ format. Sign up once and you’ll receive emails with details ahead of each scheduled meeting.
Participants can choose to attend based on their availability and/or interest in the topic or theme of the session.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuessday of the month from 6:30-8:00pm (optional extra 30 mins from 8:00-8:3opm) over Zoom.
Some in-person sessions may take place in the Lower Mainland throughout the year.
Topics vary each month. Past topics include Building Community, Mental Health, Autism Diagnosis Journeys, Friendships and Relationships, and more.
Facilitators will introduce the topic and will lead with 1 or 2 discussion questions to get the conversation started.
- Conversations will flow naturally. Anyone is welcome to join in at any time, and/or listen to the discussion.
- Conversations may diverge from the initial topic (that is okay!)
- Group facilitators may redirect discussions to ensure equal opportunities for engagement and to balance time.
Group discussion is led by 2 Autistic facilitators based on suggestions from participants.
We are committed to ensuring every participant is understood, accepted, and supported.
Group participants are encouraged to provide any information regarding accommodations, supports, and preferences for participation upon sign up and/or via email at youthandadults@canucksautism.ca.
You are welcome to sit in on a meeting in any capacity and without expectation.
We can also arrange for you to meet one of the facilitators to learn more about the group before joining!
Simply email youthandadults@canucksautism.ca.
Who leads the group?
Kayla & Kieran are Autistic facilitators who support the culture of the space through continual group collabiration. Together, they offer topics of discussion and guide conversation, when needed, and are supported by a Clinical Social Worker.Co-Facilitator
Outside of the group, Kayla is also an actor and a CAN support worker and learning facilitator.
“I have greatly benefited from making connections with other Autistic women and having people to talk to who understand what it is like to live as an Autistic woman.”
Co-Facilitator
Outside of CAN, Kieran facilitates other peer groups, and does various queer and neurodivergent consulting.
They thrive in community, and tend to find it in unusual places such as Twitch streaming nerdy card games, thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and messing around on the diving board every week at Trans Swim.
“There is a severe lack of autistic community for adults. So, I do this to be a part of it, and to help build and provide for others what I wish existed when I needed it.”
Clinical Support
Rae is an Individual & Family Therapist and Clinical Social Worker who provides clinical consultation to support the development, process, and evaluation of the WPG, including providing background clinical mentorship to the co-facilitators.
“I know how deeply valuable and impactful it can be to hear another person say, ‘Hey, me too!’ I am so grateful for this group and honoured to be a part of it.”
This group was inspired by Good Company– an Autistic Peer Support Group in Toronto, founded by Dori Zener and facilitated by Besa Shemovski Thomas.
We greatly appreciates the support, expertise, and resources provided by Dori Zener & Associates.
