Support Groups

Denver, CO

Welcome to Denver GRASP

Thank you for your interest in the Denver GRASP 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. If you would like to attend a GRASP meeting want to know more about GRASP Denver, please contact one of our facilitators.

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.

Who:  Our meetings are by, for, about and open only  to adults on the autism spectrum, whether diagnosed or self-identified. 

When:  We meet the 2nd Saturday of every month, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

Where:  Our meeting place is the Community Room of the Whole Foods Store at 1111 S. Washington Street in Denver.  The store is located just north of the intersection of  I-25 and S. Washington, one block from the Louisiana-Pearl Light Rail Station.

How:  Membership information is kept through the main GRASP office, so you must subscribe before you can attend.  This allows your membership to remain as anonymous as you desire.  We respectfully request that anyone in attendance not share with others the names of anyone else they have seen at a meeting. We conduct GRASP meetings in an orderly manner and expect everyone to observe common courtesy and consideration of others.

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 page or mail your check made out to GRASP to: GRASP, 666 Broadway, Suite 830, New York, NY 10012

We make it a point to welcome newcomers and help them feel comfortable.

There are three parts to a GRASP meeting:

Introductions:  Members briefly introduce themselves to the group.  Usually a co-facilitator introduces someone who is there for the first time.
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.  Announcements usually spark discussion.
Options Time: The second half of the meeting allows a flexible time for relaxing, continuing conversations, getting to know people with common interest and so on.

Co-facilitators:

Xenia Kathy Grant      kgrant5709@aol.com      phone: (303) 861-2422
Marian Greenway        magreenway@hotmail.com
Nathan Johansen        nathan@npj.com

In Memory of Sherrill Strong:
One of the original co-facilitators of the Denver GRASP chapter was Sherrill Strong, who died of cancer in October 2008.  Her teenage son is on the autism spectrum and lives with his father.  Her ideas, vision, and help kept our young chapter going.  She stepped aside as co-facilitator in July 2007 because of her health.  I will miss her company, help, joy and love that she had for all people on the autism spectrum.  She did much to get Denver GRASP going.  May her Memory be Eternal!

GRASP Support Group Removal Policy
(out of over 5000 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)