EMPOWERING THE AUTISTIC COMMUNITY THROUGH AUTISM-AFFIRMING SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

 

“Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation.”
— bell hooks

Autistic-led

Autistic engagement

for Autistic solutions.

The Bay Area of California hosts exceptionally high rates of autism, which is thought to be due to the technical aptitude of autistic people and the wide presence of the local tech sector. Yet, there is a shortage of autism-focused social support for autistic adults.

Participation in support groups has been demonstrated to enhance individuals' well-being, boost their social skills, improve satisfaction with available services and assistance, enhance overall health, reduce hospital admissions and inpatient stays, and ultimately lower the overall expenses associated with serving the population. However, autistic people do not experience these gains when non-autistic people dominate support groups. 

BAAC is a public nonprofit 501(c)3 organization # 93-2060468

A sihlouette of four people on a hillside with a purple and blue sky behind them. The text reads: PEER SUPPORT GROUP for the autistic adult community. Join us! Every Sunday 7:00-8:00 pm PST, register ar tinyurl.com/BAAC-social, @bayareaautismcollecti
An image of a person with their hands clasped in their lap. Text reads Addiction & Recovery Peer Support Group for the autistic adult community Join Us monthly on the 2nd Wednesdays 6:00-7:00 pm PST Register at tinyurl.com/BAAC-recovery @bayareaau
An image of two silhouetted parents on a hillside tossing a child into the air with a pink sky in the background. Text reads Autistic Parents Peer Support Group FOR THE AUTISTIC ADULT COMMUNITY Join Us! 3rd Wednesdays 11 am -12 pm PST Register at
An image of two people. One has their arm around the other’s shoulder and is leaning their head onto their neck, looking at the camera with wing-tip eyeliner. The other has their eyes closed and is leaning their head, looking peaceful, on the other’s

The Bay Area Autism Collective currently serves over 250 autistic adults each month through our peer support groups, workshops, and advocacy efforts. Our community includes people of all ages, genders, support needs, and racial and cultural backgrounds, with many members identifying as multiply marginalized. While we are rooted in the Bay Area, our virtual programming extends across California and beyond, allowing us to reach autistic individuals in rural, under-resourced, and geographically isolated regions. This wide reach reflects our commitment to accessibility, neurodiversity-affirming care, and building sustainable autistic community infrastructure.

Autistic culture is real, relevant, and valid.

Autistic culture is worth celebrating.

Land Acknowledgment

Bay Area Autism Collective is based in San Francisco and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands we live and work on. The San Francisco peninsula and north Bay are located within the occupied territories of the Ramaytush Ohlone and the Coastal Miwok, who, along with the Southern Pomo, are organized as the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. We pay our respects to elders past, present, and emerging.