Neuro Affirmative Autism Resource Center
Providing a network of neuro-affirmative resources run by autistic people for autistic people. Located in North Alabama near Huntsville and Madison, our goal is to create resources for people in the North Alabama autism community!
Welcome to the Neuro Affirmative Autism Resource Center (NAARC) in North Alabama, a nonprofit organization rooted in research, lived experience, and the expertise of mental health practitioners. We are dedicated to empowering autistic individuals and their families by providing vital autism resources, support groups, and community connections for autism awareness and advocacy. Developed in response to the overwhelming need for accessible, affirming mental health support, NAARC seeks to establish deep roots that nurture our growing autistic population. Our goal is to promote neurodiversity, enhance life skills for autistic people of all ages, and offer services such as education, outreach, and support for mental health and service dogs. Whether you’re seeking information about autism services, family support, or autism-friendly activities, we’re here to help. Join us in building a supportive community for autistic individuals in North Alabama!
Who We Are:
“When I was younger I was looking for the magic meaning of life. It’s very simple now. Making the lives of others better, doing something of lasting value. That’s the meaning of life, it’s that simple”
— Temple Grandin, Autistic Person and Autism Advocate
Join Our Community!
NAARC offers a free support group every Thursday Night!
Click Below to Join our Group!
Join A Group!
At NAARC, we have groups almost every day of the week. Most of our groups are closed groups that you can join after we get to know you a bit but you are always welcome to join or discord or come to our Thursday night group. We meet at 6:30pm. We also have a group for teens that meets at 6:30pm on Thursday.
Need an Autism Assessment?
Starting in January of 2025, we will have autism assessments available for the cost of $200 for individuals in need. You will have to bring in paperwork documenting your financial need and have taken the RAADS-R online first. Please click the link below and complete the form to be added to be called in January.
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This open group meets at 190 Limequarry Road Suite 113. All are welcome to attend this group. It meets at 6:30pm every Thursday. On average, 10-15 people attend this group.
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This small, closed group meets every Friday night. In order to be invited to this group, you should join the discord group or come to the Thursday night group so we can get to know you a little first to make sure you are good fit. This group is more social and often goes out to dinner after group.
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These groups meet on different nights throughout the week. Our DMs start campaigns and different times and some of our DMs do periodic One Shots.
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This closed group meets twice a month and helps people recovering from religious trauma who are struggling with religious deconstruction and reconstruction.
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This group is in development and is moderated via discord. All are welcome from any region or area.
Need Counseling?
We are able to offer counseling services for autistic adults and teens for $25 a session for individuals in financial need. You will need to bring in paperwork documenting your financial need and have testing indicating you are autistic to qualify. The online RAADS-R and AQ tests are valid. Please complete the form below to register and someone will reach out to you to schedule you within 2-3 weeks.
Interested in Summer Camp for Your Neurodivergent Child?
We are excited to be offering a STEAM summer camp for autistic and neurodivergent children. Our camp is designed to help your child learn coping skills for unmasking and adapting to a neurotypical world that wasn’t designed for them. We have expert volunteers in many areas to help them engage in fun science, technology, engineering, art, and math-based activities.
Media or Speaking Request?
Do you need an expert on neurodivergence to help you do a training on how to create a neuroaffirmative workplace or to speak on autism? NAARC has expert speakers that have published books on autism such as The Unmasking Workbook for Neurodivergent Adults, written for Psychology Today, and have years working with autistic children in the school system and as therapists. Our team of experts can speak from multiple perspectives and all of our team are also autistic. Our goal is to spread awareness and acceptance and to advocate in the community to help people understand what it is like to live as an autistic person. We have spoken on podcasts, youtube, at conferences, and for private businesses.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Trainings and Events - Tree of Life Behavioral Health
Intersections with Autism
HG Hilton, ALC
Under the Supervision of Jessica Penot, LPC-S
June 13, 2025
Join us for a training on identities and conditions which commonly intersect with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and an exploration of clinical nuance. Learn more and register at www.treeoflifebehavioral.com
STEAM Summer Camp for Neurodiverse Children
June 7-