Actually Autistic San Diego

Actually Autistic San Diego Actually Autistic SD ♾️ By autistics, for autistics. Always. Peer-led. Not professional. Just us.
📍San Diego | 💻 Virtual & IRL☀️ Meetups

Last month was a monumental moment for Actually Autistic SD. We had our first in-person event, and let me tell you, it w...
07/25/2026

Last month was a monumental moment for Actually Autistic SD. We had our first in-person event, and let me tell you, it was so much fun!

In May, we met through Zoom, and many of us enjoyed that. However, there's something different about meeting in person, and it was incredibly special.

I spent a lot of time thinking about our needs, listening, meditating, and figuring out how to make what could feel like an anxious and nervous situation become comfortable. I looked inward and thought about what I needed when I was younger and what I still need to this day. Then I asked our members and listened, and from that, we created this experience. Was it perfect? Probably not. Was it wholesome, fun, amazing, and a valuable moment for us as a group and collective? Absolutely. At least that's what I'm told.

Seeing our group meet, share, connect, talk, play, stim, laugh, and engage with curiosity was one of the greatest joys. We had so much food to share and stories that ranged from light-hearted fun to more tender moments. It didn’t feel so lonely anymore. We had each other, and because of that, we built a community among our autistic selves.

There's something different in the air when you have a space where autistic adults of all support levels can simply be. It's a unique kind of joy that I can't quite explain. I'm honored to be able to curate and organize a space like this, and I'm so grateful that we all have each other to lean on.

There are over 40 members in our group now. Although about 20 members were able to attend, it was a massive deal for all of us. We hope to see you soon!

Like and share if having a space like this is important to you or someone you know. 💛This weekend, we hosted the very fi...
05/25/2026

Like and share if having a space like this is important to you or someone you know. 💛

This weekend, we hosted the very first Actually Autistic San Diego virtual meet up and it honestly meant so much to see autistic adults from their early 20’s to 76 years old all gathered together in one space built by autistic people, for autistic people.

I know virtual meet ups can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why I intentionally structure our gatherings with autistic needs in mind. We had previews ahead of time, gentle structure with room for natural conversation, no pressure to participate, and even a built in group break so people could decompress, stim, stretch, grab water, or simply pause if needed.

What makes this space special is that it is autistic led, with continuous input from our members to help create an environment centered around accessibility, comfort, emotional safety, and genuine connection. My goal is to help create a home away from home where autistic adults can simply exist as themselves.

If you were one of the 30+ members in our community who joined us, thank you for helping make our very first meet up feel so warm, meaningful, and welcoming.

We’re already preparing for our June meet up and I’m genuinely excited to continue growing this community together.

For a long time, I felt too different from the people around me.Then I started connecting with other autistic people and...
05/18/2026

For a long time, I felt too different from the people around me.

Then I started connecting with other autistic people and realized I wasn’t an alien or broken. I just needed community. That’s a huge part of why I founded Actually Autistic SD.

It’s honestly been really exciting to watch our community grow, and this week we reached over 30 autistic adult members. Seeing people connect, support one another, share interests, and feel more comfortable being themselves has meant a lot to me.

Not every autistic person experiences life the same way. We all have different communication styles, personalities, support needs, strengths, struggles, and life experiences. But all of us still deserve belonging, accessibility, understanding, and connection.

I’m really grateful to be building a space that feels like a home away from home not just for me, but hopefully for others too.

I think about the past, the present, but especially what we are building for the future. I hope this group lasts for a very long time, so that one day many autistic people, including younger generations growing into adulthood, will have a place they can call home too. 💜

Not all autistic adults fit into the same box and our community reflects that.Actually Autistic SD was created for autis...
05/18/2026

Not all autistic adults fit into the same box and our community reflects that.

Actually Autistic SD was created for autistic adults across the ENTIRE spectrum.

Our community welcomes autistic adults 18+ of all ages, including older adults and seniors. We currently have members ranging from their 20s to their late 50s, and we are continuing to grow and expand the age range within our community. Whether you were diagnosed early, diagnosed later in life, self-identified while exploring diagnosis, are highly social, semi-speaking, non-speaking, or have varying communication and support needs, you are welcome here.

We also want people to know that participation does not have to look the same for everyone. Some members enjoy active group chats. Some prefer quieter participation. Some may only want to attend virtual or in-person meetups. Some may communicate differently or need additional support and accommodations.

While WhatsApp is currently our main community hub, autistic adults who do not use WhatsApp are still welcome to attend our Zoom meetups and future in-person gatherings as long as they can agree to our community guidelines and help maintain a respectful environment.

For autistic adults who may need additional support, anyone in a caregiving role is also welcome to attend in-person meetups when needed for accessibility and support. We simply ask that caregivers respect that this is an autistic-led space centered around autistic communication styles, experiences, and community, and avoid speaking over, judging, or interfering with the environment we are building together.

Our goal is not to create spaces only for one type of autistic person. Our goal is to create community, connection, accessibility, understanding, and belonging for autistic adults throughout the spectrum.

By autistics, for autistics. 💜

For more information, feel free to send us a message, leave a comment below, or visit our website linked in our bio.

This Mother’s Day, there’s a group of moms the world keeps forgetting. 💜 Read below. Today we want to celebrate every au...
05/11/2026

This Mother’s Day, there’s a group of moms the world keeps forgetting. 💜 Read below.

Today we want to celebrate every autistic mother.
The ones who were diagnosed early.
The ones who found out later in life.
The ones who are still figuring it out.
And the ones who first saw themselves in their child’s diagnosis.

You navigate motherhood while also navigating a world not built for your mind. You show up on the hard days through sensory overload, burnout, and exhaustion. You love deeply and give everything you have, often without anyone fully understanding what that costs you. You are seen. You are celebrated. You are more than enough. We also want to honor every mother currently exploring a diagnosis because that journey takes incredible courage and self awareness. 💜

We also hold space today for every mother who experienced pregnancy loss. For every dream of a child that was carried with so much love and hope. That grief is real and it deserves to be honored today too.

We see the autistic individuals who had to distance themselves from their mothers to protect their peace and their safety. Choosing yourself is not something to feel shame about. It is survival and it is brave.
We see those who felt like they had to raise themselves. Who had to figure everything out alone, without the guidance or safety that every child deserves.

And we celebrate the ones who are the mother of their friend group, their community, their chosen family. The ones who nurture everyone around them.
And to every autistic person who is still learning to mother themselves, to give yourself the patience, the gentleness and the grace you always deserved. That work is sacred.

And of course we celebrate the mothers of autistic children too. Your love and dedication mean everything. So much of the conversation around autism and motherhood centers there, and autistic mothers themselves are so often overlooked in that narrative. Today we want to change that, even just for a moment.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Actually Autistic SD. 🌸♾️ By autistics, for autistics. Always.

Looking for a space that actually gets it? 💜Actually Autistic SD is a peer-led community built by us, for us. Whether yo...
05/01/2026

Looking for a space that actually gets it? 💜
Actually Autistic SD is a peer-led community built by us, for us. Whether you’re diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or exploring your neurodivergence, you belong here. We’re all about creating a safe, inclusive space for connection. Where you can show up exactly as you are, masked or unmasked.

We’ve officially hit 23 members and we’re just getting started! Come hang out, share experiences, and find your people in the San Diego/SoCal area. 🌊

✨ Want to join our private WhatsApp?
We prioritize safety and community, so we share the link once new members have had a chance to read our community guidelines.

Click the link in our bio to learn more
Send us a DM to start the process!

Keep an eye out! Our first meetup is coming soon!

Welcome to Actually Autistic SD 💜♾️After so much love and encouragement from my autistic peers, I built the space they k...
04/22/2026

Welcome to Actually Autistic SD 💜♾️

After so much love and encouragement from my autistic peers, I built the space they kept telling me I was meant to create. My friends believed in me before I fully believed in myself. They kept saying “you should just do it” and eventually I listened.

This is a peer-led community for autistic adults in San Diego — grassroots, independent and completely community driven. Built together, led with care. I bring warmth, deep attention to detail, and a genuine passion for making sure every person here feels seen and safe. Autistic voices are the foundation of everything we do here, and as founder and organizer I make sure that safety, respect, and accountability are always the priority, because that matters deeply to us.

Just us showing up for each other 💛

Virtual & IRL meetups across San Diego coming soon! Check out our website for our WhatsApp group chat, social media pages, community guidelines, and more info. Link in BIO.

By autistics, for autistics. Always. 🌈♾️

With respect, Lily 🌸

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San Diego, CA
92108

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