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Autism On the Go's
Quirk Alert - Vol XIII
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August is here, and we’re turning our attention to the companions who love us unconditionally, understand us without words, and never judge a stim, meltdown, or marathon info-dump. Whether they bark, purr, slither, hop, or just quietly exist nearby, our pet friends are often the truest allies we have.
In honor of Dog Month and International Cat Day, we’re celebrating the powerful bond between neurodivergent people and the animals who walk beside us—sometimes literally, sometimes in memory.
🐾 Tell us about your pet!
Post a photo, share a story, or introduce your animal companion on MyAOG. We want to meet your friends!
🎨 Design merch in their honor.
Create a sticker, graphic, or wearable tribute to your pet for AOG’s merchandise program—and earn royalties if it’s selected.
💖 Make a donation in your pet’s name.
Support AOG while honoring the furry (or not-so-furry) companion who’s always had your back.
Our pets don’t ask us to explain who we are. They just love us. That’s the kind of world we’re building—together.
— James Orman, Founder & Executive Director, AOG
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AOG Leader's Statement
“Nothing about us without us.”
This sentence has been a rallying cry for disability activists. There must be no decisions, no actions, indeed no discussions on us and our situation that don’t involve our direct input. Don’t choose for us, don’t act for us, don’t even talk about us unless we’re part of it.
And yet, numerous media portrayals of autistic and autistic “coded” characters (who act autistic without being labeled so) were created without input from a single autistic person. Recent government remarks about our limitations were too ill-informed to possibly have been written with the cooperation of any autistic person. Even the standards by which health professionals deal with us are so narrowly focused that they cry out to be informed by actual autistic experience.
That’s why the “A” in NARG, AOG’s parent organization, stands for “advocacy”. Those accustomed to speaking for and about autistic people don’t notice our absence. We in the autistic community must make ourselves heard. That’s hard for a single person to do. Only a collection of determined voices will cut through the noise and reach those who ignore us. That’s why community among autistic people is critical.
Many of us avoid the social challenges of a world not designed for our interaction styles. However, only by resisting that solitary pull and seeking out one another, can we cooperate to amplify our message. If that’s going to happen, we need spaces to gather that are well suited to us and where neuro-divergent friendly people are found. AOG creates such spaces where autistic people can meet. Knowing one another makes it easier to unite as we demand a seat at the table when issues affecting autism are talked about.
-Suzi Gerb, Secretary of Autism On the Go
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🗣️ NEW: AOG Community Townhalls — Starts This Month!
Let’s talk, plan, and dream together. Starting in August, AOG will host bi-monthly virtual townhalls open to all community members, businesses, and supporters — no membership required!
🗓️ First Townhall: Sunday, August 24, 4–6 PM
Topic: The Power of Advocacy — Hearing From Us About How Things Really Are
We’ll share updates, hear your ideas, and dive into real talk about advocacy, access, and what needs to change.
Let’s build it together. 💬
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🧠 AOG's Peer Moderator Training Program – Available Now!
Do you want to help make AOG spaces safer, more welcoming, and community-led?
Our Peer Moderator Training Program is designed by and for neurodivergent people to support healthy, inclusive online and in-person spaces.
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Set and uphold group norms
✅ De-escalate tough moments
✅ Support others while protecting your own energy
✅ Lead with compassion, not control
Whether you’re new to moderation or already a natural helper, this is your chance to step into a support role that truly makes a difference.
Let’s build something kinder—together.
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AOG Meets/Events
Saturday - 2nd - 8pm
Virtual Game Night - Register Here
Sunday - 3rd - 1pm
SereniTea Autistic Women's Group (Virtual) - Register Here
Thursday - 7th - 9pm
Autistic Adult Group - Register Here
Saturday - 9th - 1:45pm
Bad Anon Sketch Viewing - Register Here
Monday - 11th - 7pm
Queer Support Group - Register Here
Thursday - 14th - 7pm
Bad Anon - Register Here
Thursday - 14th - 9pm
Autistic Adult Group - Register Here
Sunday - 17th - 1pm
SereniTea Autistic Women's Group (In person) - Register Here
Monday - 18th - 7pm
BIPOC Support Group - Register Here
Tuesday - 19th - 8pm
No Lone Wolves Men's Group - Register Here
Thursday - 21st - 9pm
Autistic Adult Group - Register Here
Sunday - 24th - 6pm
*NEW* Town Hall - Register Here
Tuesday - 26th - 7pm
Hear From Each Other - Register Here
Wednesday - 27th - 7pm
Drawn Together Creative Club - Register Here
Thursday - 28th - 7pm
Bad Anon - Register Here
Thursday - 28th - 9pm
Autistic Adult Group - Register Here
Friday - 29th - 7pm
Writer's Fish Guild - Register Here
| | | | AOG Radio Podcast - Great Minds Think a Mic | Podcast 2 of AOG Radio is Live! Check it out here | | | |
AOG Craft Swap at Red Emma's | Thank you to everyone who showed up at our Craft Swap at Red Emma’s! We had such an amazing time getting to know one another and get creative. Big thank you to AOG board member Rosanna Tufts for the media, and we hope to see you at our next event! | | | |
Be Part of the First AOG Zine! | We’re excited to announce AOG Zine — a seasonal publication created by and for our Autism On the Go community! | | |
The first issue drops this fall (around August), and we want YOU to be part of it.
💌 Send us your stories, shoutouts, and creations!
This is your chance to celebrate and connect. We’re looking for:
🎉 Birthday or anniversary messages
🎓 Graduations, weddings, or other milestones
🖌 Featured crafts, products, or services
📅 Community event highlights
💖 Memorials or tributes
✨ Or anything that showcases our vibrant community!
📧 Submit to Winter at: winter@autismonthego.org
Let’s build this together — your voice makes the zine!
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Autism On the Go - Supporting the Autistic and neurodivergent community through services and meetups, by us and for us. | Find out what it looks like to join a community made by us, not just for us Access resources and networks just for us. We want to change things for our community and we want to hear from you about how. Neurosensitive programs designed to cultivate leadership skills in a safe environment. | | | |
Four hidden types of autism revealed - and each tells a different genetic story | Scientists at Princeton and the Simons Foundation have identified four biologically distinct subtypes of autism, using data from over 5,000 children and a powerful new computational method. These subtypes-each with unique traits, developmental paths, and genetic signatures-promise to revolutionize how we understand, diagnose, and treat autism. | | | |
Autistic Leaders Program
🌟Calling All Autistic Leaders and Supporters🌟
Join the Autistic Leaders Program!
Autism On The Go is proud to announce the Autistic Leaders Program, designed by and for Autistic people. This is more than just a program—it's a movement to empower Autistic adults to step into leadership roles, strengthen our community, and create meaningful change.
We know that Autistics thrive when systems are designed to fit us, not the other way around. That's why this program is built on neurosensitive, non-punitive, and inclusive principles.
Program Highlights:
✅ Skill-building & personal growth
✅ Leadership opportunities across AOG’s programs
✅ Mentorship & peer support
✅ Space to design and lead your own community projects
✅ Continuous feedback and participant-driven evolution
Whether you want to step into leadership, share your lived experience, or help shape a more inclusive future for our community — we want you involved!
🌱 Why?
Autistics are too often left out of leadership and growth opportunities. We're changing that—together.
💌 Get Involved:
If you're interested in becoming a leader, mentor, or supporter, reach out to us at: 📧 james@autismonthego.org
Let’s build the future we deserve. Learn more HERE
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Your Job, Your Way
Build-Your-Own-Role Program
Autism On The Go is proud to offer Your Job, Your Way, designed by and for neurodivergent people who are ready to create their own path to meaningful, paid work.
This isn’t just a program — it’s a chance to show the world what’s possible when we stop forcing people to fit roles that weren’t made for us.
We know neurodivergent people thrive when we can design jobs that fit our strengths. That’s why this program is built on flexibility, creativity, and fairness.
Program Highlights
✅ Build your own role from the ground up
✅ Set clear, achievable goals with AOG’s support
✅ Gain tools, branding, and mentorship as you go
✅ Earn a paid contract when you meet your goal
✅ No resumes, no gatekeeping, no unpaid work without end
Whether you want to launch a fundraiser, create new programming, or bring in sponsors — this is your chance to make an impact and get paid for it.
💌 Get Involved:
If you're ready to build Your Job, Your Way, reach out to us at:
📧 info@autismonthego.org
Let’s work together to create opportunities that fit you.
Learn more HERE
| | Autism On the Go | Baltimore MD | Autism On the Go is run by Autistics, for Autistics. We seek to advocate, educate, and build community for people on the autism... | | | | Join the Autism On the Go Discord Server! | Check out the Autism On the Go community on Discord - hang out with other members and enjoy free voice and text chat. | | | |
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