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On Saturday October 17 AASCEND interviews David Good, the autistic founder of the International Friend Connection, and whose work has been recognized by two presidential administrations.

After losing his software development career to chronic pain and disability, David rebuilt his life by doing the one thing he could still do: showing up for people who needed somewhere safe to belong. In 2014, he founded what became the International Friend Connection, a global network of communities for shy, lonely, socially anxious, and neurodivergent adults. What began as one Meetup group in Michigan grew into a movement reaching more than 40,000 members across more than 20 countries. David has personally led thousands of events and helped develop more than 100 volunteer leaders. His work has been recognized by Points of Light, the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Meetup, media outlets, and Cultural Autism Studies at Yale.

The Zoom link to this presentation will be emailed to people on our mailing list as the date approaches. There is no need to register for the event. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list if you aren’t already on it.

David’s story of emergence from hellish circumstances to become a leader in autism community-building can only be described as extraordinary. Everything he learned on the difficult journey he now freely passes on to others. Join us online to hear what he has to say. We’ll reserve time at the end for your questions. 

As usual, autistic adults will share their perspectives during the program.

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Sat, Oct 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom, Link will be emailed as the date approaches.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Here is a video recording of the following presentation.

On October 3 the AASCEND Job Club presents David Butler, the founder of Divergent Systems (https://divergentsystems.ai), which builds personal AI agents designed for neurodivergent brains. Diagnosed autistic and ADHD himself, David creates tools that work with how ND minds actually operate: externalizing executive function, reducing overwhelm, and turning “I know what to do but can’t start” into small, doable steps.

David writes, “I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in my forties. Before that, I spent twenty years in software engineering wondering why I could architect complex systems but couldn’t reply to a simple email. I didn’t start Divergent Systems because I read about neurodivergence. I started it because I built the system for myself first. My AI agent helps me run my life. It manages my calendar, drafts my emails, tracks what I’m avoiding, adjusts to my energy, and doesn’t take it personally when I go dark for three days. My knowledge base holds what I’ve learned and everyone I know. My daily planner sorts by energy, not deadlines. I built it because nothing else worked. Every productivity tool assumed I could maintain it with a consistency I don’t have. So I built something that doesn’t need my consistency, and I’ve used it every day for months.”

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Oct 3, 10am Pacific Time 
Where:  Online via Zoom, Link will be emailed as the date approaches.

AASCEND's annual potluck picnic in the Park is THIS SATURDAY Sept 19. Join us for an afternoon of informal socializing and games with our community. This year’s picnic will be held from noon to 3:30 at tables 7 – 9 in Hellman Hollow in Golden Gate Park. We will have food and drink, but bring something to share if you can. No RSVP is necessary. Set-up begins at 11:30 AM.

 AASCEND boldly goes into new frontiers of summer adventure on Saturday August 15, 10am for a gentle walk along the San Francisco waterfront, through the wilds of Fisherman’s Wharf, past boats, sea lions and general spectacle. We know this will be a sensory challenge for some of us, but that makes it a great chance to support each other as we take our place in the world. First off, bring ear protection. This should be memorable! We’ll have a brightly dressed leader to help keep us all together.

We’ll start directly in front of the Ferry Building and head north to Aquatic Park (marked “Hyde Street Pier” on map), where we’ll eat our lunches. We’d love to have you join us for the fun and conversation as we support each other in the stimulating environment. We’ll meet at the Ferry Building, directly in front of the clock tower on the street side at 10am. (See red pin on map below.) We encourage you to take public transportation, but if you insist there is expensive parking nearby. Check your GPS for it.

This is all about having fun and enjoying the beauty and life along the Bay in the warm company of the AASCEND community.

Here are the details: We’ll stroll together at a leisurely pace, stopping whenever something catches our attention. We encourage you to bring a lunch to eat as we relax at Aquatic Park.

What to bring:

• Sensory protection (for eyes and ears, for example)
• Comfortable walking shoes and clothing for SF weather
• A lunch or snacks to enjoy at the park
• Your beaming face!

This is an easy walk with plenty of opportunities to pause and appreciate the lively scenes.
Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Saturday, Aug 15 2026, 10:00am to 1pm approx
Where: Ferry Building, San Francisco (See above for details. red pin on map)

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

On Saturday July 18 AASCEND hosts another of its popular Board Game Social Mixers at the Arc in San Francisco (address below). These are always a lot of fun and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. It’s a perfect summer activity. Come as you are. Snacks and new board games will be provided. Bring your own game if you have a favorite. This is a great opportunity to make new friends and to meet old friends while having a blast playing board games with them! The meeting will be in-person only.

GAME DAY!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Jul 18, 10am – 12:30
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 (enter on 11th St) map

At a recent AASCEND meeting a panel of autistic adults shared some of their successes and challenges in conversation. We went around the room and found that everyone has something to talk about,even people who are usually quiet. At the May 16 meeting online we will continue our exploration of ways we autistics together can help make conversation more comfortable for people like us. We didn’t get to the second part of our planned program last time, and after reviving our earlier discussion we will pick up where we left off.

The Zoom link to this presentation will be emailed as the date approaches, to people on our mailing list. There is no need to register for the event. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list if you aren’t already on it.

In this part of our exploration we will practice actual conversation on basic topics we hope will be of interest to everyone, for example, “What clothes do you like to wear and why?” “Do you like animals or have any pet?” “What music do you like?” We may also try more challenging topics like, “What did you want, autism-related, when you first came to AASCEND, and has that changed?” We will also open the floor to everyone to put a conversation topic in the Zoom chat.

This is an experiment – just a gathering of autistic adults trying to help each other out. We hope you can make it and we’d love to have a conversation with you if you feel like it!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat May 16, 10am – 11am Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom, Link will be emailed as the date approaches.

Here is a recording of the following presentation.

SATURDAY May 2 at the AASCEND Job Club, Greg Roche, the “Introverted Networker”, teaches people how to connect and build trust in your network. He will share his Connection Loop framework for connecting with people. He takes a person-centered approach to help you create your own schedule, connection in places you are comfortable in, and using your style. 

The Zoom link to this presentation will be emailed as the date approaches, to people on our mailing list. There is no need to register for the event. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list if you aren’t already on it.

Greg writes: “I used to think networking was just for extroverts, salespeople, or people trying to land their next job. Then I learned that real networking—the kind that builds trust, opens doors, and helps people stay and grow in their careers—is just consistent, human connection. As the founder of The Introverted Networker, I teach … how to build strong relationships—without small talk, events, or pretending to be someone they’re not. I write a weekly newsletter, lead corporate workshops, and coach people on how to connect with others in a way that feels real and doable. My work is all connected by one belief: when people feel seen, supported, and fairly treated, they stay. And when they build trusted relationships at work, they thrive.”

 As usual, autistic adults will share their perspectives throughout the program.

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom, Link will be emailed as the date approaches.

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Love taking pictures? Want to explore San Francisco at a relaxed pace with friends? Join AASCEND (celebrating Autism Awareness Month!) on Saturday April 18 for its first photo walk (our 2nd try after rain last Fall). We’re organizing an easy social walk from the Ferry Building to China Basin Park, and we’d love to have you join us. We’ll meet at the Ferry Building directly in front of the clock tower on the street side, at 10am. (See map below.) We encourage you to take public transportation, but if you insist there is expensive parking nearby. Check your GPS for it.

Whether you’re an amateur with a smartphone camera or you’ve got your fancy DSLR slung around your neck, or just want to socialize, everyone’s welcome here—this is all about having fun and capturing the beauty of the Bay in the warm company of the AASCEND community.

Here are the details: We’ll stroll together at a leisurely pace, stopping whenever something catches your eye. That stunning waterfront view? Light hitting the buildings just right? A cute detail on a bridge? Stop, snap, and share the moment with the group. No pressure, no judgment—just good company and great photo ops. Once we reach China Basin Park, or perhaps sooner, we’ll kick back and enjoy the views together. We encourage you to bring a lunch and relax in this beautiful spot with fellow walkers and photographers. 

What to bring:

• Your camera (phone, tablet, or camera—whatever you’ve got!)
• Comfortable walking shoes and clothing for SF weather
• A lunch or snacks to enjoy at the park
• Your smile and enthusiasm!

This is an easy walk with plenty of opportunities to pause and appreciate the scenery. Whether you’re looking to level up your photography skills or just spend time with like-minded folks exploring the city, we can’t wait to see you there. It’s okay if you just want to walk, and just let us know if you don’t want to be photographed. 

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Saturday, Apr 18 2026, 10:00am to 1pm approx
Where: Ferry Building, San Francisco (See above for details.—> on map)

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

Many autistic adults cannot easily participate in everyday conversations: They feel as if they have nothing to say or that what they do have to say would be rejected, so often they just don’t talk at all. On Sat Mar 21, AASCEND explores the autistic experience of conversation to see if there are ways we autistics together can help make conversation more comfortable for people like us. This a live program, in-person only at the Arc.Respecting privacy, the program will not be recorded. There is no need to register for the event. Program details below.

In the first part of the program a panel of autistic adults will share their experiences in conversation, both successes and challenges, answering questions like, “Do you find it easy to participate in everyday conversation, or do you sometimes feel left out?” “What is your favorite mode of conversation: verbal, text, phone, email,..?” “How do you feel when the conversation stops and there is only silence?” etc. We’ll then talk about what helps us feel comfortablein conversation, and what can help in the future. Attendees will be invited to share their experience.

In the second part of the program we will practice actual conversation on basic topics we hope will be of interest to everyone, for example, “What clothes do you like to wear and why?” “What foods do you like or dislike?” “Do you like animals or have any pet?” “What music do you like?” We will make an effort to include everyone in the conversation, with everyone also welcome to “pass” if they want to. Finally, we will open the floor to everyone to write a conversation topic on a card, hand them in, and we’ll talk about some of them. Come with a conversation idea in mind if you like!

This is an experiment – just a gathering of autistic adults trying to help each other out. We hope you can make it and we’d love to have a conversation with you if you feel like it!

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Mar 21, 10am – Noon
Where: The Arc of SF 1500 Howard St. @ 11th St. SF, CA 94103 (enter on 11th St) map

Contact info@aascend.org with any questions.

On March 14 (not the usual first Saturday), the AASCEND Job Club presents Forward AI, an online AI-powered career development platform designed to help individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their career direction. Unlike traditional job boards or career tools that assume you already know what you want, Forward’s AI companion takes the initiative, guiding you through structured career exploration step-by-step without the pressure of facing a blank page. The platform helps you articulate your preferences, build confidence in your career direction, and navigate the job market with clear guidance tailored to your specific situation and needs.

After a tour of the Forward website, Job Club Facilitators Dan Middleton and Michael Bernick will interview Forward founders Chinmay Rathod and Gautham Narayanan.

The Zoom link to this presentation will be emailed as the date approaches, to people on our mailing list. There is no need to register for the event. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list if you aren’t already on it.

Forward founders Chinmay Rathod and Gautham Narayanan are both neurodivergent individuals who experienced firsthand the challenges of finding work that truly fits. 

 As usual, autistic adults will share their perspectives throughout the program.

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time
Where: Online via Zoom, Link will be emailed as the date approaches.