Neurodivergent but coming together

A REGULAR meet up has been established to provide autistic people with a safe and inclusive environment to chat and socialise.

Organiser, Maria Marshall, said the get-togethers are the culmination of a 10-year goal to establish a social network for Ballarat’s autistic community.

“I work as a clinical psychologist and often with people who are autistic. I’ve heard time and time again about the complete lack of spaces for autistic people in Ballarat,” she said.

“Contrary to popular belief, autistic people are very sociable and love meeting new people, they just need some support around forming their own environment.

“There’s nothing especially for adults who want to talk about things like life, love, movies, music, the autistic experience, so that’s what we’re aiming for.”

The meet ups take place fortnightly on Fridays at 9.30am and Ms Marshall said the main obstacle in establishing the events has been finding a location with a suitable sensory-conscious space.

“Lots of autistic people have sensory issues in terms of light, sound, too many people, those things can be very overwhelming,” she said.

The meet ups currently take place at the Lake View Hotel in Lake Wendouree, and the next is set for Friday, 30 September.

Melinda Tant is autistic and has been advocating for Ms Marshall to organise the group.

She said it’s a great way to bring the region’s autistic community together.

“It’s a supportive environment for like-minded people and I guess that’s one of the struggles of being autistic is you’re constantly questioning yourself and trying to fit in,” she said.

“When you meet like-minded autistics, it’s so easy and natural. They get you. You don’t have to overexplain or watch what you say or do. You’re just accepted.

“Some of us have been diagnosed later in life and it’s a revelation and unravelling, so to do that in a supportive group like Maria’s established is comforting.”