About.
Autistic Adults NYC is an Autistic-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Autistic community of NYC.
Our mission is to serve the Autistic community of NYC and the Tri-state Area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) through community building, education, and advocacy. We aim to be an Autistic-run organization, prioritizing representation in leadership and decision-making roles. Committed to inclusivity and accessibility, we focus on reaching underserved and economically disadvantaged members, offering accessible programs to create an inclusive space where all Autistic individuals can thrive.
Autistic people in NYC face unique challenges. Being in such a loud, busy, and chaotic city makes it extremely difficult for Autistic people to connect and thrive. As a whole, our community faces large amounts of disconnection and isolation.
Autistic Adults NYC started on Meetup.com in July of 2022 with a simple picnic meetup at Central Park. We’ve grown substantially since then, introducing a variety of different programs and serving thousands of Autistics from around the Tri-State area and beyond. We remain an Autistic-run organization, and strongly believe in the importance of input from the community we serve in creating our programs, developing our resources, and informing our positions.
Our purpose as an organization is to serve the Autistic community through various social and educational programs, advocacy and resources. We aim to create a supportive environment where Autistics can thrive in NYC. We hope to provide a safe space for us to network and make friends, and advocate for Autistic people of NYC and beyond.
Our events and programs are open to any Autistic person, formally diagnosed or self-diagnosed.
Are you Autistic and interested in joining us? Click the link below!
Board of Directors
Nicole Russell - President, Executive Director
Nicole Russell currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, and was diagnosed as Autistic in August 2021, midway through pursuing her Master’s at New York University. After a long journey of adjusting to city life, a new diagnosis, and struggling to find community, she founded Autistic Adults NYC. A dedicated community builder, organizer, speaker, and consultant, Nicole is committed to advocating for a more inclusive, equitable NYC for Autistics. Since starting the organization, she has continued to enjoy facilitating events and compiling resources for the community, along with director duties. Her special interests include disability advocacy, music, and animals. More about Nicole
Sarah Fowler - Secretary
Sarah is a software engineer working in climate change mitigation, and was assessed as Autistic late in life, at age 40. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and a very rambunctious cat, and spends her time knitting, gaming, reading, birdwatching, seeing performance art, and stressing out. She's always learning something strange and new; this year, she began learning taxidermy and fire eating.
Benjamin Jacobs - Board Member
Ben Jacobs has years of experience working for nonprofits, including being a CityYear Corp Member and working at a YMCA in Massachusetts. He also possesses a master degree in Library and Information Science from Simmons University. His favorite part about New York City is its gorgeous parks. You might see him there in his spare time taking pictures of local wildlife and plants.
Lee Garza - Board Member
Lee Garza (he/they) lives in Queens with his husband and senior dog. Lee was diagnosed as Autistic in 2024. They work as an attorney, specializing in complex commercial transactions and outsourcing. Lee loves to watch/read horror media and uses movie theaters as his third space.
Michael John Carley - Board Member
Michael John Carley is an author, school and business consultant, and former Executive Director in the autism, neurodiversity, mental health, disability, and DEI worlds. Michael John Carley is the Founder and first Executive Director of the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership (GRASP). From 2003 to 2013, he spoke at over 200 conferences, hospitals, universities, and healthcare organizations. Since 2004, he has consulted for the New York City Public Schools, and he now works in higher education.
Meet a few of our event facilitators!
Anna W
Anna is a longtime member of AANYC and the host of many arts and crafts events. In her free time, she loves visiting the Met Museum, trying new restaurants, and walking her dog in Central Park!
Emma Goldman-Sherman
Emma Goldman-Sherman (they/them) is an Audhd NeuroAffirming Coach, award-winning poet and playwright who runs BraveSpace.online to support writers and artists with generative sessions, salons and group and private coaching. They love their Aussie Labradoodle named Broccoli and run the monthly AANYC Craft Meeting.
Heidi M
Heidi M. is a licensed clinical social worker and certified yoga teacher who joined AANYC after her Autism diagnosis in 2023. She facilitates a monthly trauma-sensitive yoga class and mental health related workshops. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outside, playing The Sims, and snuggling with her cats.
Stephanie Lemieux
Stephanie Lemieux joined the group in 2022 and hosts monthly events focused on creativity and community building. She’s a big fan of local politics, dogs, and anything holographic!
Archie F
A gardener by vocation, Archie F (she/her) joined AANYC in 2023, and has since been an active member. She heads the monthly Plant ID Walks, as well as help out with the groups bigger events. During her free time, she's either moshing as local punk shows with her friends or drawing and writing in her room.
