Our Beginning

It Began with Austen. It Grew into Something Bigger.

When my daughter Austen was in high school, her days were full. There was school, of course, but there were also activities, friendships, and opportunities designed for young people with special needs. There were places to go, people to see, and reasons to look forward to tomorrow.

Then graduation approached.

During Austen's senior year, I attended a special needs conference where I listened to a young woman describe her life after high school. She was lonely. She was bored. She missed her friends. And she couldn't understand why the opportunities she'd enjoyed growing up had suddenly disappeared.

I remember thinking: Surely that won't happen to Austen.

But it did.

And I discovered that Austen was far from alone.

The Problem No One Was Talking About

For many autistic young adults, graduation doesn't just mean leaving school. It means losing the daily structure, friendships, activities, and sense of belonging that school provided.

Their peers move on to college, careers, and independent social lives. But for adults with autism who need ongoing support, the choices can be painfully limited.

Traditional day programs serve an important purpose for many families. But I wanted something different for Austen.

I didn't want her world to become smaller as she grew older.

I wanted her to experience more of it.

I wanted her to have friends, discover new interests, try unfamiliar things, and continue learning. Most importantly, I wanted her to be part of the community—not separated from it.

And I wanted the community to know her.

Austen's Autistic Adventures Was Born

That determination became Austen's Autistic Adventures, founded on a simple but powerful idea:

Bring the World to Autism and Autism to the World.

Instead of asking autistic adults to spend their days in one building, we would go out into the world.

We would visit museums, explore parks, take art and cooking classes, enjoy music and theater, learn practical skills, and discover new experiences together.

We would make friends. Build confidence. Practice navigating everyday situations. Laugh, celebrate, and occasionally make mistakes—just like everyone else.

And we would do it regularly, because meaningful relationships and social confidence don't develop from an occasional outing.

They grow through shared experiences, familiarity, and the opportunity to belong.

Austen helped inspire and shape those adventures. What began as a mother's determination to create a fuller life for her daughter became a community of autistic adults and families who needed the very same thing.

Why We Became Adventures for Autistic Adults

As the organization grew, so did our understanding of the need.

This was never just Austen's story.

It was the story of adults whose friendships faded after graduation. Of parents searching for meaningful opportunities for their grown children. Of families who knew their loved ones had so much to offer but struggled to find places where they could participate fully.

We began with one young woman's future in mind. But our mission had always been bigger than one person.

Our new name, Adventures for Autistic Adults, reflects that larger purpose.

It honors the beginning of our organization while making clear whom we exist to serve: autistic adults seeking connection, experiences, friendship, and a meaningful place in their communities.

Our name has changed. Our commitment to bringing autistic adults and the wider world together remains.

More Than Activities. A Community.

At Adventures for Autistic Adults, an outing is never just an outing.

A cooking class can be an opportunity to collaborate. A museum visit can spark a new passion. A conversation with a volunteer can become a friendship. An unfamiliar experience can become a source of confidence.

And every adventure creates opportunities for the wider community to recognize the personalities, talents, humor, interests, and contr

Bringing the World to Autism and Autism to the World

At Adventures for Autistic Adults, we believe that meaningful lives are built through friendship, discovery, and connection with the world around us. Every weekday, we create opportunities for autistic adults to explore their interests, develop new skills, build confidence, and form lasting friendships. Whether we're visiting museums, enjoying music and art, learning to cook, exploring nature, or discovering something entirely new, our adventures encourage independence, personal growth, and genuine community participation. We're not simply filling time. We're creating opportunities for autistic adults to experience the world, discover their potential, and know that they belong.

Get Involved

Get Involved: Help Make Every Adventure Possible

At Adventures for Autistic Adults, we believe everyone has something valuable to share—and every act of generosity helps create a world where autistic adults can connect, explore, and belong.

Do you have a hobby, skill, passion, or professional expertise you'd love to share? Whether you're an artist, musician, chef, educator, nature enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys making new friends, we'd love to hear from you! We pay our teachers! Contact Lisa below to learn more.

Our volunteers bring fresh experiences, new perspectives, and meaningful connections to our adventures. Whether you can give a few hours occasionally or become a regular part of our community, your time can make a lasting difference.

Contact:
lisa@autismadventures.org
(214) 477-1783

Support Our Adventures

Every donation helps us create more opportunities for autistic adults to build friendships, discover new interests, and experience the world around them.

Your generosity helps make our activities, classes, community outings, and special adventures accessible to the adults and families we serve.

No gift is too small to make a difference. Together, we can open more doors, create more memories, and build a community where autistic adults are seen, valued, and included.

Because everyone deserves a life filled with friendship, adventure, and belonging.