Finding a place to be themselves

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My son is 14 and has Aspergers. He feels very isolated. Everything I find in my area for kids on the spectrum has to do with trying to make him “typical”. Sure he has to function in the world, and maybe the services can help with that, but no services can change who he is, and none of these services help him learn to be OK with who he is, and always will be. That is what I want for him. He needs a space where he can be him, and that is ok, so he can learn to be ok with who he is.
We have clubs for racial minorities, religious groups, as well as gay and lesbian kids, but nothing for spectrum kids. Places where they can be them, around others who are like them. I want to create a space like that. I want to create a space for Aspergers, or very high functioning Autistic kids to come, and be able to be themselves, interacting with others like them in the ways they choose.
I am now in the process of looking for model programs. I want to research other providers who have created things like this for Spectrum kids.
Does anyone here know of any programs or groups who have tried doing anything like this? Do you know of any adult Asperger’s groups that I might be able to contact to gather ideas from? I would appreciate any leads you might be able to give me.
Becky

Does he go to a public school? More often than not, there may be a group therapy(not really the right word) session for those with similar issues, typically hosted by the social services/special education team. You may want to check it out and see if there is something like that available.

I don't know where you live, but I would highly reccommend the Geneva Centre for Autism in Toronto. They are outstanding and they have social groups for kids on the spectrum. I would think that they would be a good resource to talk to. My experience with them has been nothing but extremely positive. www.autism.net

check out GRASP......and ASRC..........they have had successful youth and adult programs...........

Sounds as though you need something like this http://www.autism.org.uk.

Become a member an you get notified of events, clubs, outings etc.
My son has been on some terrific programmes that we would not have heard about otherwise.
The whole family has been on some good outings too.

I assume that the closer you are to a big city the more will be going on near you.

Sometimes a parent has to find similar parents to start a group.

I think it's a terrific idea, to set up a gathering place catering to spectrum kids. Maybe with live Dungeons and Dragons to play? And lots of sensory stuff - soft walls, sensory toys, etc. I was going to suggest lots of computers, but maybe that goes a bit against your goals. I wish I had a model or ideas, but I don't. Just encouragement. Go for it!

I was looking for something similar for my son. I kept thinking, "He needs a supervised boy's club". Luckily, I did find a once-a-week group called "Social Funjoyment" that's been great for my son. It is much less like other social s kills classes he has been in and is really like managed fun.

I really miss playing pencil-and-paper roleplaying games... When I was in middle school and high-school this is basically the only way I got any socialization... and as I've grown up and gotten out of the house (out of necessity -- you wouldn't want to live with my family either, even if you could), I've unfortunately been unable to insinuate myself into a gaming group for any length of time.

I grew up at a time before Asperger's was even an available diagnosis. I found plenty of space to be myself. I had numerous interests and hobbies, some that I read about or did by myself, and some that I shared with others.

I don't know how your son feels about himself or his Asperger's, but since I was unaware that there was anything 'wrong' with me, I never felt bad about persuing my own interests. Maybe he could just find some others that share his hobbies, formally, or informally.