Autism parent support, friendships & playdates
What are you hoping to find?
Free to download on iPhone and Android. Pick one to see how Our Circle helps, and get the app.
Rated 4.9 on the App Store.Listed as a resource by Autism Speaks. (opens in a new tab)
Our Circle Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 41-5353017.
- Tuesday 7:15 PM
- Hi! So happy we connected. I saw our boys are both 5.
- Hi! Nice to meet you. What is your son into these days?
- Trains. All trains, all day 😄
- Ha! Mine too. We’ve watched the same train video about 400 times.
- Same here. Does he do okay in busy places?
- Not really. Loud, crowded places are a lot for him.
- Mine too. It’s nice to talk to someone who gets it.
- Thursday 8:02 PM
- Hey! I just saw the play gym by the library has sensory-friendly hours on Saturday mornings.
- Would you want to try it together? No pressure!
- Oh, that could be perfect. Fewer kids and less noise.
- Saturday at 9?
- Sounds great. See you there!
- Saturday 10:42 AM
- Best morning, he’s already asking to go again.
- Mine too! Next Saturday? 😊
Why?
You already know this part.
- The birthday invitations that never came.
- The play date that ended in a meltdown.
- Eleven minutes at the park before you had to leave.
- The group chat where everyone else is comparing soccer schedules.
- The friend who means well but says, "Don't worry, they will grow out of it."
What we need is a friend we don't need to explain things to. A friend who still sends the invitation because they understand that we want to be at the event, even if we can't make it. These are the friends that you can find on Our Circle.
What families are saying.
“Our teen FINALLY has a friend like her with similar interests due to this amazing app!! We've become friends with the parents of our daughter's new friend, too. I can't begin to express how much this means to our daughter and to my family. It's years of prayers and wishes come true. Thanks a million to the amazing creators of Spectrum Circle for changing our lives for the better!”
K., Parent “Love the customizations allowing me to find families with a similar lifestyle and obstacles. The best gift I can give my kid is his own buddy.”
Tim B., Parent “We have connected with so many wonderful families in the short time this app has been available. It is so nice to have people who get it! I'm very grateful for the newfound community we have as a result of this app.”
R., Parent “This app has made me feel like my family and I are not alone in this.”
CM., Parent
Your family belongs here, just as you are.
Your enthusiasm, your preferences, and your unique way of seeing the world. Because everyone deserves a friend.
What you will find inside.
Autism parent support, from parents who get it
Autism parenting can feel lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people. Our Circle is where autism parents find each other: to ask questions, share what’s working, and talk with someone who already understands.
Discover
Connect with other autism parents
Discover shows you families nearby, one at a time. When you see a lot in common, Say Hi. If they say hi back, you can start a conversation. No cold messages, just mutual hellos.
Moments
Share a new skill, a favorite outing, or everyday joyful moments with families who are happy to celebrate alongside you.
Meetups
Join or host local meetups and playdates, and help your child make friends who get them.
Groups
Autism parent support groups
Join groups for families near you, or groups built around a shared interest. Ask about school, sleep, meltdowns, or which birthday parties actually went well, and hear from parents who have been there. Joining groups is free.
Learn
Autism resources for parents
In Learn, you’ll find educational sessions and resources from professionals and from families with a range of experiences.
Loops
In Loops, you can drop into live audio rooms to listen, share your perspective, and get to know your community.
Autism resources for parents
Start with families who get it, then trusted places from public agencies and national organizations. Our Circle isn’t affiliated with the organizations below.
In the Our Circle app
Listed as a resource by Autism Speaks(opens in a new tab)- Inclusive PlacesSensory-friendly restaurants, salons, parks and more, reviewed by autism families.
- Educational webinarsSessions in the Learn tab from professionals and from parents who’ve been there.
- Parents who understandGroups near you and around shared interests, where you can ask anything without explaining.
After a diagnosis
- Autism information for families (CDC)(opens in a new tab)
Screening, diagnosis, treatment options and milestone tracking from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Start Here: A Guide for Parents of Autistic Kids(opens in a new tab)
A free guide from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network on what autism is, what to do next and what good services look like.
Services near you
- Early intervention by state (CDC)(opens in a new tab)
Contacts for each state’s publicly funded early intervention program for babies and young children with developmental delays.
- Autism Speaks Autism Response Team (ART)(opens in a new tab)
Call 888-AUTISM-2 (888-288-4762) on weekdays or send a message online. They answer questions and help you find autism services and supports in your community. En español: 888-772-9050.
- Autism Society National Helpline(opens in a new tab)
Call 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) to talk with a trained specialist about resources and services in your area. It isn’t a crisis line.
School and IEPs
- Find your Parent Center(opens in a new tab)
A map of nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers that help families take part in their child’s education, including special education.
- Wrightslaw(opens in a new tab)
Plain-language articles on special education law, IEPs and advocating for your child at school.
Money and planning
- SSI for children (Social Security)(opens in a new tab)
Monthly payments for children with disabilities. Part of the family’s income and resources is counted.
- ABLE National Resource Center(opens in a new tab)
How ABLE accounts work: tax-advantaged savings for disability expenses.
Links open in a new tab.
Inclusive Places
Find sensory-friendly places, reviewed by families like yours
Trying somewhere new shouldn’t feel like a gamble. The Inclusive Places directory in Our Circle helps you find autism-friendly restaurants, activities, hair salons, parks, zoos and more near you. Each listing has reviews from parents who’ve already been there.
Step 1 of 4
Explore places near you
Browse restaurants, hair salons, parks, zoos and more, all chosen with neurodivergent kids in mind.
Step 2 of 4
Know before you go
Read what other families experienced, from crowds and noise to how the staff treated their child. Then plan an outing that works for yours.
Step 3 of 4
Share your experience
After a visit, leave a review so the next family knows what to expect.
Step 4 of 4
Add a place you love
Know a spot that gets it right? Add it to the directory and help other families find it.
Tap a step to explore it.
Built by families, for families. Every review and every new place makes the next outing a little easier for someone else.
Make room for a new hello.
Download Our Circle, introduce your family, and explore the community around you.
Discover families, message your connections, and join groups for free.
Autism families are part of a wider Our Circle community welcoming families of children with all support needs. Shared experiences and new perspectives both have a place here. Read how the organization started.
From Spectrum Circle to Our Circle
Our story began with Spectrum Circle, an app for families raising autistic and neurodivergent children. Those roots are why this page has a special place here. Today, as Our Circle, we welcome families raising children with all support needs. Our community has grown, and so has our circle.