The Autism Community Store’s mission is to connect families and individuals living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to resources and to each other in an accepting and sensory-inclusive environment and to serve as a bridge to the broader community by spreading awareness and promoting impactful sensory accessibility and inclusion. We envision a world where autistic and neurodivergent people with I/DD and their families feel they belong and are empowered to thrive.

Autism Community Store
14095 E. Exposition Ave.
Aurora, CO 80012

Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 10-5

Support Groups and Events

Inclusion

The Autism Community Store believes that everyone deserves equal access to services, employment, and places where they belong, no matter where they come from, what they look like, how they identify, or what their unique abilities are. We embrace the words of Temple Grandin, that “The world needs all kinds of minds.” We celebrate differences and are committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces and providing the programs and supports that allow everyone to thrive.

Our support groups, resource center, social gatherings, holiday celebrations and educational workshops are always FREE and are open to everyone regardless of ability. Located in a richly diverse but underserved community, the Autism Community Store and Community Center strive to serve all members of the autism community by maintaining close relationships with community partners, offering resources in Spanish, and employing bilingual staff members. Because we believe that individuals and families experiencing a disability are uniquely suited to support their communities, the Autism Community Store is staffed exclusively by autistic adults and family members of autistic and neurodivergent children.

Now in its 13th year, the annual Autism Resource Fair is a favorite Colorado autism community tradition. Nowhere else do so many families and individuals on the spectrum come together with the sole purpose of gathering resources and connecting with providers.

The Autism Resource Fair addresses the most fundamental challenges of the autism community: Autism is isolating, resources are scarce, and information is hard to find. With a huge range of service providers and advocacy organizations, burgers and lots of activities for the kids, entire families come to learn and laugh and feel very much part of a supportive community.

ConnecTeen

Make friends, have fun, connect! ConnecTeen is a new project of the Autism Community Store promoting opportunities for neurodiverse teens to hang out with their peers in a safe social setting. We will get to know one another, play some games, eat some snacks, and maybe talk about our awesome but sometimes challenging neurodivergent lives. The group will be facilitated by a young adult on the spectrum who just gets it! ConnecTeen meets the first Saturday of the month 2-3 pm at the Autism Community Store.

MAC (Metro Autism Consortium)

Join us for a Support group for anyone identifying as being on the autism spectrum 18 and older. We meet the second Saturday of each month from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm at the Autism Community Store. The first half of each meeting is focused on resources and support and the second on fun and social activities.

Spectrum Parent Adventures - An Autism & SPD parent support group

Join us for a caregiver support group at the Autism Community Store! Connect with other caregivers and enjoy a safe space to share your stories, your successes, and your challenges among friends who just get it! Spectrum Parent Adventures meets the second Saturday of the month at the Autism Community Store’s Autism Community Center from 4 PM - 6 PM, and periodically takes “parents’ nights out” to explore other friendly venues like Brewability and Pizzability.
Light refreshments served.

Sibling Clubhouse

Join us for a sibs-only meet up at the Autism

Community Store! Our kids with autism often have so many things to do and places to go -- therapies, appointments, etc....While these may not all be fun destinations, siblings can
sometimes wonder why they don't have so many special things to do. Sibling Clubhouse is a free, monthly gathering exclusively for siblings! We have a core group of siblings who look forward each month to seeing their friends, playing games, eating snacks and just being themselves -- and they love welcoming new members! No future meetings scheduled at this time.

The Fourth of July is a great time to celebrate with family and friends, but it is a holiday that can be isolating for our sensitive community members, and fireworks can be challenging.

We hope to provide a safe, inclusive space for our community every year to participate in the sensory magic of this day. We will have fun activities and refreshments. Bring a picnic or just come to see the fireworks!

Families love coming to the annual Autism Community Store Halloween Party and it's just gotten better each year! In 2020 we included a Trunk or Treat and pumpkin patch as a safer, socially-distanced way to celebrate. Both were a hit so we decided to bring them back in subsequent years!

The long lines and drama of visiting the man in red is enough to keep many of our families from participating in this holiday ritual. The Autism Community Store has partnered with a very special Santa to visit with our kids every holiday season. He is a “Servant Santa,” a professional Santa who has received training from the Autism Society of Colorado and volunteers time to visit children with special needs and others who may not be able to discover Santa at the mall.

Check out some photos from some of our recent events!

Photos with Santa - December 2022