Firstly, a huge thank you to those who attended the first discussion and for introducing yourselves, also thanks for the positive feedback it is much appreciated.

The next informal discussion is now at the earlier time of 12:00 on Sunday 16 June as there is also an Autistic Pride Picnic in Hyde Park taking place until 4 pm. The discussion should finish by around 1:30, giving anyone who wants to attend the event time to get there.

In the meeting we can discuss the animation MARY AND MAX (2009), a film about a long distance relationship struck up between two pen pals – a 44-year-old man with Asperger’s Syndrome living in New York, and an eight-year-old girl from the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.

The film can be safely streamed online by clicking on the link below (scroll down and press play):

As with the first, this second casual, neurodiverse get together for homo sapiens will provide an opportunity to learn from one another about our individual experiences of autism. Our shared love of cinema is intended to function as an ‘icebreaker’ (don’t take literally!) to talk more openly about what our diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis, means to each of us.

Issues relating to anxiety and sensory concerns will be taken into account – please see photos on this page to get a better idea of the layout. Again, people who attend do not have to have a formal diagnosis, they may have self-diagnosed or simply suspect themselves of being Autistic.

Disclaimer: Do please try and watch the chosen film beforehand, as part of the group discussion will revolve around people’s thoughts and feelings about the film and the main character of Max in particular.

Again, if you would like to take a friend, partner or facilitator as +1 we are open to that so long as they respect and support the aims of the group.

Hope to see you there, the more the merrier!