Neurodivergent Friends & Dating in Washington, D.C. Meetup Group

Spy Museum Neurodiverse Night, October 2024

Are you ready to join our group?

Connection

Whether you have a formal neurodivergent diagnosis, feel neurodivergent without one, or simply wish to meet new people, you’ll find a place here.
Acceptance

We aim to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected. We know it takes courage to join a new group. We expect everyone to show respect and tolerance, even if others may present or behave differently than expected.
Play

We offer a wide variety of gatherings to choose from. Between low-key board game meetups, joyful karaoke nights, trivia competitions, museum visits, or simply gathering around a meal there’s something for everyone.

Join on Meetup's Website

Meet the Organizer

Matchmaker & Coach Kate Woodward founded this group after struggling to identify welcoming and joyful spaces in the Washington, D.C. area for her neurodivergent clients seeking meaningful friendships and inclusive environments. She created this community - that is open to all seeking genuine connections. The group has grown steadily ever since, now surpassing 500+ members and become a labor of love for Kate.

Contact Kate

FAQs

Still have questions? Contact us here.

This community is for anyone in or near the Washington, D.C. metro area that is aged 21+ and genuinely seeking new connections, whether platonic or perhaps even romantic. Currently, the majority of our members are between the ages of 25 and 45, and while the group is predominantly male, we’ve been pleased to welcome more women and non-binary folks in recent months. Whether you have a formal neurodivergent diagnosis, feel neurodivergent without one, or simply wish to meet new people, you’ll find a place here.
Though we mainly use the Meetup website to coordinate gatherings, we understand that some members would prefer not to make a Meetup account. Further, Meetup’s structure isn’t very conducive to facilitating easy communication between members, which is what led us to create our WhatsApp chat thread, which all members should join. You’re welcome to browse upcoming events here on this website and RSVP by contacting organizer Kate Woodward here.
Our group aims to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected. In return, we ask members to extend acceptance and kindness in return, especially to new members, as we know it takes courage to join a new group. We expect everyone to show respect and tolerance, even if others may present or behave differently than expected. However, harassment, racism, and disrespectful behavior of any kind are simply not tolerated. If you’re able, please consider supporting the group financially to help cover event costs and expenses like Meetup’s organizer fees, party supplies and refreshments, and venue reservations. This helps keep events affordable and reduces the financial burden on our organizers. However, we realize that many of our members may not currently be working and are living on tight budgets. We don’t want a lack of funds to prevent members from participating, contact Kate and we will figure out a way to assist you.
No you don’t need to be single — many members join simply to make friends and aren’t focused on romantic relationships. If you’re interested in connecting with local singles, you can join Kate’s Neurodivergent Dating Facebook group or be added to her free singles database, where you may be matched with one of her matchmaking clients in the future. For more details about the database, click here.
If you’re an interested party, local organization, or family members of one of our attendees please consider, if you’re in a position to do so, supporting the group through a donation to help cover event costs and expenses such as Meetup’s organizer fees, party supplies and refreshments, and venue reservations. If you are a local restaurant or venue that can offer space for a reduced or donated price, please contact us. This helps keep events affordable and reduces the financial burden on our organizers. We have many members that are not employed or unable to work due to their didsabiltiies and we often cover their activity or refreeshment fees.

Gallery

Member Feedback

Toora

“What Iike about this group is everyone is so friendly and I built connections and made new friends.”
Toora is from Fairfax, Virginia and lives with ADHD and autism. He’s a “die-hard DC sports fan,” loves all things social, is a foodie, and is happy to support the group by helping to organize and host events in the Northern Virginia area.
Patrick

“What I love about Neurodivergent Friends & Dating in Washington, D.C. is that it removes all the social pressures that come with having high-functioning autism. People in the group are welcoming, outgoing, friendly, and all-inclusive with the common goal of having fun.”
Youseff

“I'm a neurodivergent introvert who loves all nerdy hobbies from video and board games to cartoons and comics. Neurodivergent Friends and Dating is not just a group, it's a home for people unite from all different backgrounds and interests to express themselves and be heard. Whatever walks of life you're from, you're finally here with your people, welcome.”

Check out our group’s upcoming gatherings.

Karaoke

November 8th, 7pm in Reston, Virginia.
Join us for community and karaoke at Crafthouse Reston on November 8th. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6pm. Karaoke is from 8pm to 2am. Please don't forget your ID to get in since this gathering is for those 21+. Hope to see you there!
Road to Independence: Resource Fair

November 10th, 1pm in Rockville, Maryland.
Our organizer, Kate Woodward, will have a table at this event representing her business. Not exactly a Meetup, but a great resource for “free resource fair offers resources for teens and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism, as well as their families. Attendees can learn about employment opportunities, education and mental health resources, social programs, and available benefits and services. More than 50 representatives from government agencies and service providers will be available to speak with attendees.” Come say hello!
Trivia Night

November 12th & 19th in Arlington, Virginia.
Join our "Neurospicy" trivia team at Punch Bowl Social every Tuesday beginning November 12th (we'll also meet the following week on November 19th). In addition to RSVPing on Meetup, please click here to reserve your spot through Eventbrite. Tickets are free. Let's meet at 6:30.
Bark Social Meetup

November 15th, 4-7pm in North Bethesda, Maryland.
Bark Social is not just a dog park. They have music, a bar (including self-serve beer taps), and food for sale. You don't have to have a dog to attend; humans enter Bark Social for free. On this date, November 15th, they have free beer tasting from Atlas Brew Works. You must also reserve your ticket for the beer tasting on Bark Social's website (follow "reserve tickets" link next to November 15th event). There's no fee to enter Bark Social, but if you decide to bring along your dog you do have to register them on Bark Social's website beforehand - https://barksocial.com/pages/bethesda and pay a fee.
See you there!
Friendsgiving Potluck Dinner

November 24th, 6:30pm to 10:30pm in Fairfax, Virginia.
We are hosting a Friendsgiving Potluck on Sunday, November 24th at 6:30pm. This event will take place at the Penthouse (12th Floor) of one of our members (Toora Arsala) apartment building in Fairfax, Virginia. There is plenty of indoor space if the weather is too chilly. In order to reserve this fantastic rooftop space on the 12th floor, we are paying around $250 to $350 depending on how late the party goes. With this in mind, we are making this a paid event.
Note: This is a paid event for the reasons outlined below. If you cannot afford the $10 fee toward our venue, organizer fees, and any additional refreshments/utensils that members do not sign-up to bring, please message Kate Woodward. We still want you to be able to attend.
Potluck: Dinner will be potluck style, so please ensure you bring an entree or dessert item to share. Additionally, you can bring drinks, utensils, or napkins to share. Please leave a comment in the discussion section below letting us know what you intend to bring so Kate can coordinate the bringing of any items we may be missing. If you are unable to bring anything, please consider donating (at least a week before the event) to cover the cost of the refreshments the organizers will need to provide. You can donate through the Meetup fundraiser on the home page or to Kate on Venmo (@katewhdc) or business profile (@katewoodwardcm). Zelle is her phone number at 619-253-2620.
Activities: There will be board games, karaoke, wonderful rooftop views on the 12th floor, and plenty of new friends to meet. Hope you can join us! Feel free to message with any questions.
Games, Crafts, & Journaling

December 8th, 3pm in Clarendon, Virginia.
“Love games, crafts, or journaling? Well we have the ideal event for you in Clarendon, Virginia on December 8th at Lifetime Cafe. Join us from 3-6pm for an array of activities and camaraderie. Kate will be providing supplies and lessons in bullet journaling, Toora will be overseeing board games, and other activities will be avaialble for those who are undecided. We’ll even have a greeting card station with over 100+ cards if you’d like to get started on holiday card writing or simply reach out to a loved one. All greeting cards are from Paper Source, brand new, and donated from Kate’s personal collection or crafts and supplies. See you there!“
Click here to RSVP.

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Featured Event

Love games, crafts, or journaling? Well we have the ideal event for you in Clarendon, Virginia on December 8th at Lifetime Cafe. Join us from 3-6pm for an array of activities and camaraderie. Kate will be providing supplies and lessons in bullet journaling, Toora will be overseeing board games, and other activities will be avaialble for those who are undecided. We’ll even have a greeting card station with over 100+ cards if you’d like to get started on holiday card writing or simply reach out to a loved one. All greeting cards are from Paper Source, brand new, and donated from Kate’s personal collection or crafts and supplies.

See you there!

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Neurodivergent Friends & Dating in Washington, D.C. Meetup Group

Connection

Acceptance

Play

Meet the Organizer

FAQs

Who is this group for?

How do I join?

Are there any rules or expectations?

"Dating" is in the group name. Do I need to be single to join?

Why are you asking for donations?

Gallery

Toora

Patrick

Youseff

Check out our group’s upcoming gatherings.

Karaoke

Road to Independence: Resource Fair

Trivia Night

Bark Social Meetup

Friendsgiving Potluck Dinner

Games, Crafts, & Journaling

Support our growth

Featured Event

Get in touch.