Sinneave Foundation

Living the Good Life: A peer-led space for newly identified Autistic adults
2026-03-04 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Edmonton) | The Ability Hub, Suite #300, 3820 - 24th Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta, T3B-2X9, Canada
What now? Discovering autism later in life can be both liberating and disorienting. Many Autistic adults describe feeling “between worlds” no longer fitting the old stories they were told about themselves, yet still uncertain how to embrace a new way forward. Living The Good Life offers held space to share this journey with others who “get it”, so you don’t have to navigate it alone, while exploring new possibilities for identity, connection, and meaning.

This peer-facilitated drop-in group is for adults who are newly diagnosed, late-identified, or newly aware/self-diagnosed Autistic, and who are navigating the early stages of understanding what that means. Together, we explore what it means to “be Autistic” beyond the clinical lens through storytelling, connection, reflection, and lived experience.

At its heart, this series is about beginning again from the other side of this liminal space. It isn’t about arriving at a fixed destination but stepping into an ongoing process of your becoming. Discovering, learning, and shaping your own path.

Wednesdays, January 21, February 4, February 18, March 4, 20266:00 – 7:30 p.m.In-person at The Ability Hub (300, 3820 24 Avenue NW)

This is not a therapy group. It is a space for mutual support, co-regulation, and honest, non-performative conversation. Everyone enters as an equal. Not as experts (including the facilitator) but as people, uncovering something we’ve always been.

Led by an Autistic facilitator(s) who are walking this road themselves, each session offers space to unmask, grieve, reframe, and slowly rebuild. Together, we’ll witness and support one another as we navigate loss, joy, hope, and the beginnings of a new relationship with ourselves, on our own terms.

Please note: This space is exclusively for people who identify as Autistic and are in the early stages of that discovery. It is not intended for allies, parents, professionals, or those who are curious but do not personally identify. This boundary ensures participants can share openly without explanation or justification.

The purpose of this group is to provide a supportive, non-clinical peer-led space for Autistic adults who are newly, late, or self-identified, to begin exploring what it means to live authentically for themselves after diagnosis.

In this pilot series, participants will:

Engage with their feelings and reactions openly, recognizing that all emotions are valid (and can be “ACT’d” on) and important to their journey.

Build trust in themselves again, their instincts, and their experiences as they navigate new understandings of identity.

Explore life as an ongoing process, focusing on growth, self-discovery, and meaningful connection rather than fixed outcomes (or this is the “right way to…”), that they may have been stuck in.

Witness and be witnessed (Leave grounded) by peers, fostering a sense of belonging, validation, and mutual support; Triaged support so people don’t have to do it alone.

Begin cultivating a more authentic relationship with themselves, learning to move toward a personally meaningful version of their “the good life.”

** Space in these sessions are limited, and advance registration is not required. You can drop-in to any or all of the sessions, there is no cost to attend. **

About the Presenter:

Ryan Elkanah is a late-diagnosed AuDHD adult with lived experience navigating identity, masking, mental health, burnout, and loss, as well as reclaiming agency. They bring a neuro-affirming, values-driven, strength-based, and trauma-informed lens to peer support, grounded in experience as an Autistic self-advocate and facilitator at Sinneave.

With backgrounds in community development and youth work, Ryan creates and holds spaces for authentic connection, reflection, and witnessing. A lifelong learner, they are passionate about supporting those who have been misunderstood, marginalized, or overlooked, helping participants explore their own paths toward living authentically and embracing the ongoing process of self-discovery.

If you have questions, reach out to info@sinneavefoundation.org or call (403) 210-5000. We’re here to help.

Your Time, Your Way
2026-03-05 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-10 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-11 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-12 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-17 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-18 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-19 17:00 - 19:30, 2026-03-24 17:00 - 19:30 and 3 more dates
Many individuals can benefit from what is often referred to as a “third space”—a place separate from home or work or school where there is no obligation to spend money on food or beverages. So we’re opening our doors to members of our community.

We invite you to drop in and use our space to help you unwind or recharge—with no pressure to engage in structured activities. We have several rooms and spaces available–a quiet lounge, computer desks, hang out sofas–you choose. It’s your time to use your way.

Our space provides flexible seating options, focus tools, and adjustable lighting options as we strive to make our space more welcoming and inclusive to those who wish to spend time in it.

Our drop-in hours are 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Here are some suggestions of things you may like to do, but this is not an exhaustive list:

Socializing: Chat with others, make new connections, or catch up with friends

Using Computers: Access the internet, complete personal tasks, or explore hobbies online. Use our computers and wifi or bring your own device and connect via our network

Relaxing: Sit quietly, read, listen to music with headphones, or just enjoy the calm space

Independent Work: Bring personal projects, homework or studying you may need to do, or use the time to focus on tasks

Unstructured Activities: puzzles, sketching, journaling, or engaging in other personal hobbies

Exploring Resources: Learn about other programs, events, or services Sinneave offers

Simply Being: Spend time in the space without any specific activity, just enjoying the presence of others without any expectations to engage

To ensure a welcoming and safe space for all users, please read over the Rules of the Space before you arrive:

Check-In is Required: Everyone signs in upon arrival

No Alcohol or Drugs: This is a substance-free space for everyone’s safety and comfort

Respectful Content and Behavior: No engagement with explicit content and all interactions should be respectful

Noise Levels: Keep volume moderate to accommodate diverse activities

No formal supervision provided: Attend and engage independently
