About Our Community
About Empowering Connections For People On The Spectrum
Join our community here in Ottawa where we foster a supportive environment where individuals on the spectrum can connect, grow, and thrive together.
About Autism Ottawa Social
Activities Tailor-Made For People on the Spectrum
Our group organizes a variety of relaxed and inclusive activities designed to encourage genuine social interaction in comfortable environments. These include casual meet-and-greet gatherings, coffee meetups, restaurant outings, board game nights, walks in local parks, museum visits, movie nights, community events, seasonal celebrations, and day trips throughout the Ottawa region.
As our community continues to grow, we plan to introduce many additional activities, including educational workshops, hobby clubs, volunteer opportunities, outdoor adventures, recreational programs, travel excursions, and special interest groups based on the interests of our members
About AutismOttawaSocial.com is a welcoming social and peer support community created to help people on the spectrum build meaningful friendships, reduce isolation, and enjoy spending time with others who understand many of the unique experiences of living on the autism spectrum. We believe everyone deserves opportunities to connect, belong, and participate in a community where they are accepted for who they are.
Our group organizes a variety of relaxed and inclusive activities designed to encourage genuine social interaction in comfortable environments. These include casual meet-and-greet gatherings, coffee meetups, restaurant outings, board game nights, walks in local parks, museum visits, movie nights, community events, seasonal celebrations, and day trips throughout the Ottawa region.
An Empathic Community
Unlike many traditional social organizations, AutismOttawaSocial.com places understanding and acceptance at the heart of every activity. We recognize that social situations can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly for autistic individuals who may experience sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or social anxiety. Our goal is to create welcoming environments where members can participate at their own pace without pressure or judgment. Learn more about how our inclusive approach helps create a safe, supportive, and enjoyable community for autistic adults.
Whether you have recently been diagnosed, have known you were autistic for many years, or are simply looking for opportunities to connect with like-minded people, we welcome you to become part of our growing community.
Your Community
Our mission extends beyond organizing social events. We hope to foster a genuine sense of belonging by encouraging peer support, mutual understanding, kindness, and inclusion. Every member deserves to feel accepted without having to hide or change who they are.
As our community grows, we will continue expanding our programs and activities to meet the evolving interests and needs of our members while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that defines our organization.
About Our Mission
About our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming, supportive, and friendly environment where autistic people can develop meaningful friendships, strengthen their social confidence, and enjoy positive shared experiences within an accepting community.
We understand that many people on the spectrum experience loneliness or social isolation despite wanting meaningful connections. AutismOttawaSocial.com exists to help bridge that gap by offering opportunities to meet others in relaxed, low-pressure settings where authenticity is encouraged and differences are respected.
About Our Values
Everything we do is guided by a shared set of values that shape our community and the way we interact with one another. Learn more about the principles that inspire our mission and help create a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone.
Acceptance
We celebrate neurodiversity and believe autistic people should be accepted, respected, and valued exactly as they are.
Respect
Every member deserves to be treated with dignity, kindness, patience, and understanding. We encourage respectful communication, even when opinions differ.
Inclusion
We strive to create activities that are welcoming and accessible to autistic people with a wide variety of personalities, communication styles, interests, and support needs.
Friendship
Our primary goal is helping members build lasting friendships through enjoyable experiences and meaningful conversations.
Peer Support
Sometimes the greatest support comes from people who truly understand similar experiences. We encourage members to learn from, encourage, and support one another in positive ways.
Community
We believe strong communities are built through participation, kindness, cooperation, and mutual respect. Every member contributes to making AutismOttawaSocial.com a welcoming place for others.
A Platform Designed To Foster Connections
AutismOttawaSocial.com offers an engaging community platform designed to help autistic people connect, build friendships, and share experiences in a welcoming environment. Members can create profiles, connect with one another, and participate in a mini Facebook-like social community. You'll also have the opportunity to publish blog articles directly to our front page, allowing members to share stories, experiences, and insights. As our community continues to grow, we plan to introduce exciting new features, including a full-featured discussion forum, a collaborative creative gallery showcasing members' work, enhanced social tools, and many additional opportunities for meaningful interaction and community participation. Learn more about our platform features and discover how AutismOttawaSocial.com is creating a vibrant online community for autistic people.
About Rachelle Gauvin
AutismOttawaSocial.com was founded and is operated by Rachelle Gauvin, an autistic advocate who understands firsthand many of the challenges autistic adults face when trying to build friendships and find welcoming social opportunities. Learn more about our founder and the vision behind creating a welcoming, inclusive community where autistic people can connect, socialize, and thrive.
Recognizing that many autistic individuals struggle with loneliness, social anxiety, and limited opportunities to meet others in accepting environments, Rachelle created AutismOttawaSocial.com to provide a community where autistic people can connect without the pressure to mask or fit traditional social expectations.
Her vision is to create more than simply another social group. She hopes to build a supportive community where friendships grow naturally, members feel comfortable being themselves, and everyone has opportunities to participate in enjoyable activities that match their interests.
As Founder and Operator, Rachelle continues to guide the community's development while working to expand activities, improve accessibility, and ensure that members always feel welcomed, respected, and included
About Joining Our Team
As AutismOttawaSocial.com grows, so will the opportunities for volunteers to become involved in helping our community thrive.
We welcome individuals who are passionate about building an inclusive and supportive community for autistic people.
Our Volunteer opportunities include:
- Event coordinators
- Activity leaders
- Community moderators
- Peer support volunteers
- Content writers
- Social media volunteers
- Community outreach volunteers
Whether you have a few hours each month or would like to become more actively involved, your time and skills can make a meaningful difference in helping autistic people connect and build friendships. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities and discover how you can help create a welcoming, supportive community for autistic adults.
About Our Policies
Creating a safe and welcoming community requires clear expectations and transparency. Learn more about our policies, guidelines, and commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone.
We encourage every member to review our website policies before participating in our community.
Our policies include:
Together, these policies explain how our website operates, how personal information is protected, what behaviour is expected within the community, and how we work to create a respectful environment for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We understand that joining a new social group can feel overwhelming, particularly if you have experienced anxiety or difficulty in previous social situations. Learn more about how AutismOttawaSocial.com creates a welcoming, supportive environment where members can participate at their own pace and build meaningful connections.
Our Frequently Asked Questions page answers many common questions, including
Who can join?
Adults over the age of 18
What types of activities do you organize?
We host social events, meet-and-greets, we do local activities that includes meeting for dinner, visit local points of interest and attractions, outdoor activities, and more around ottawa.
We also go on excursions in the Ottawa area and beyond. Those actitities include day trips, attending cultural events, and more.
What should I expect at my first meetup?
You can expect a welcoming environment that cathers to the needs of autistic people.
We keep our activity groups small so as to ensure that people are not overwhealmed.
You can expect a relaxed and safe atmosphere where you can be yourself and meet like-mined people.
Are your activitis sensory friendly?
Our activities are tailor-made for autistic people, so our activities are sensory friendly
How do I report a concern?
You can report a concern by contacting us on our contact page or at info@autismottawasocial.com
Is there a membership fee?
Membership with Autism Ottawa Social and activities is free and always will be.
How do I register for events?
Our events are posted on our front page, where you can register for our events.
How do I contact organizers?
You can contact organizers through our contact page or at info@autismottawasocial.com
How do I become a volunteer?
You can register to become a volunteer on this page in the join us section.
How do I update my account?
You can update your account from the members dashboard.
Do You Have More Questions?
If you have additional questions about Autism Ottawa Social, we encourage you to contact us or visit our FAQ page, where you'll find answers to many common questions about our community, activities, membership, and platform.
Become a Member of AutismOttawaSocial
Become a member of Autism Ottawa Social and discover a welcoming community where autistic adults can build friendships, participate in enjoyable activities, and connect with people who understand their experiences. Learn more about our membership, upcoming events, and community activities, then join us today to become part of a supportive and inclusive community.
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you.
Whether you have questions about our community, would like more information about upcoming social events, are interested in volunteering, or simply want to introduce yourself before attending your first activity, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Learn more about AutismOttawaSocial.com, our activities, and the many ways you can become part of our welcoming community
Our goal is to make every new member feel comfortable and welcomed from their very first interaction. We understand that reaching out can sometimes feel difficult, and we are committed to responding with patience, respect, and understanding.
Thank you for your interest in AutismOttawaSocial.com. We look forward to welcoming you into a growing community where autistic people can build friendships, enjoy shared experiences, support one another, and discover that they are never alone. Together, we are creating a safe, friendly, and inclusive place where meaningful connections can flourish.