My Relationships Project Pilot Funds

We are Katy Levinson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Megan Brockman, Special Education Teacher with a Masters in Autism Spectrum Disorder. We currently work together teaching and supporting high school students with disabilities in Metro Detroit as they navigate the complexities of adolescence.

 

Post graduation, we hear from former students and their families as well as our own adult friends about how hard it can be to build friendships and romantic relationships in a world where the neurotypical "rules" just don't make sense to them. The complexities of dating can cause anxiety and stress, leaving folks with a sense of fear and loneliness. As we attempted to provide folks with referrals for support in the community, we found that there just wasn't programming specific to the needs of some of our most valuable community members.

 

Until now.

 

My Relationships Project is a new program for adults (18+) with Autism, ADHD, social communication disorders, and other developmental disabilities. Katy and Megan have developed a dynamic program that combines the Healthy Relationships Curriculum, the guidance of Autistic adults, and years of professional experience and allyship.

 

In our first program (January 2022), Katy and Megan will facilitate a six session series for neurodiverse adults.  Participants will discuss types of relationships (friendships and romantic) and how to build them. We'll dig into the “hidden rules” of those relationships, healthy boundaries, how to use social media and technology to build relationships. We'll explore the ideas of gender expression and gender identity, as well as how to prepare for dating, safe sexual behavior, and consent.

 

But this series is just the beginning. We will collect participant and stakeholder feedback to identify the exact needs of the community and hone our services. In the future, we plan to grow into a center that provides support, coaching, and resources to neurodiverse individuals and their families, as well as training for service providers, teachers, mental health professionals, and other interested community members.

 

Your donation will provide funds to cover the costs of registering our business, pay for advertising and other initial operation costs. We purchased an amazing curriculum that requires regular licensing upkeep. Finally, we will need a computer, projector, and materials to create take-home resources for participants. 

 

To learn more about My Relationships Project (including participant registration) please check back soon - our website goes live on December 2nd!

Please join us in building something vital and unique to our neurodiverse community members. We appreciate your support, and we can't wait to share our success with you!