Welcome to the GRASP Asheville North Carolina Support Group.

Our monthly meetings are an opportunity for adults with Asperger's Syndrome and high-functioning autism to spend some time together in a safe and friendly social environment. Whether we are diagnosed or self-identified, all of us in GRASP are on the autism spectrum. It is a statement of our independence that we meet and interact without the inter mediating presence of neurotypical people. We welcome and support each other.

Mission Statement: To provide opportunities for adults on the autism spectrum to have meaningful interactions and try new things in a safe, comfortable, friendly, and non-competitive community, free from neurotypical observation.

Facilitator: Charlie Robson (zcrobson@gmail.com) is our facilitator - please contact him if you need any help.

Who: Adults with Asperger Syndrome, high-functioning autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NOS are invited to attend the meetings. Self diagnosed Aspies with an informal interview are also welcomed as we understand that a professional diagnosis is expensive. Neurotypicals or NTs are not invited unless they are documented care givers or speakers for those on the autism spectrum.

When: Second Saturday of each month from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The first meeting will be held August 11, 2012. Please see the GRASP calendar at http://grasp.org/page/meeting-calendar for all support group meeting schedules.

Where: Firestorm Café 48 Commerce St. Asheville, NC 28801 http://www.firestormcafe.com/location.html. Street and deck parking are available nearby. The Café is about 100 yds from the Asheville Transit Center: http://www.ashevillenc.gov/Departments/Transit.aspx.

What: We adult Aspies meet for information, successful social interaction as well as employment, dating and other issues to improve our well-being. For GRASP's Mission Statement please see http://grasp.org/page/mission-statement.

Requirements: The only other requirement to attend meetings, besides being on the autism spectrum is to subscribe to the group at http://grasp.org/page/member-subscription-form.

Cost: All GRASP groups are absolutely FREE to attend. However, GRASP survives on funding from foundations, corporations, and generous individuals. If you wish to donate to GRASP, we would gratefully appreciate it (and we’re almost certain to need it). You can make a tax-deductible donation with a credit card via our DONATE (http://grasponline.ning.com/page/support-grasp) page or mail your check made out to GRASP to: GRASP, 666 Broadway, Suite 825, New York, NY 10012

There are three parts to a GRASP meeting:

• Introductions: Members briefly introduce themselves to the group.
• Announcements: This is an opportunity to tell others about an event, something going on in your life, an autism-related issue or some other topic of interest.
• Options Time: The second half of the meeting allows a flexible time to continue discussing topics or for beginning a new topic. Members may be selected to give their story, offer a book review or update the group on current events or certain topics like scientific studies.

We welcome newcomers and request your help with making sure they feel comfortable.

GRASP Support Group Removal Policy
(out of over 6,500 people, we've luckily only had to use this 7 times.
But there'll be more— we are vulnerable by design as we do not demand that everyone bring often-expensive proof of diagnosis)