It started with a small circle. It grew and became a community.

How it all began

It all began right after my husband Acrísio and I attended an autism seminar in June 2024. I had already worked in clinics and volunteered with autistic people, but it was there, over lunch, that the idea was born.

I couldn't stop thinking about something a recently diagnosed autistic person said that day: "For us autistic adults, there's nothing; I feel lost and alone." It reminded me of my time volunteering at an NGO, watching young people in therapy circles that felt lifeless — even though, underneath, they genuinely wanted to connect.

So I turned to Acrísio and asked: "What if we created a different kind of meetup — casual, a place people actually wanted to be, with no pressure and no labels?" That's how Encontro Atípico was born, out of the wish to turn loneliness into real connection.

The first meetups

I shared the idea with Isa, a friend who embraced the cause right away — her partnership has been essential to the project ever since. The first meetup happened at my house, with Acrísio cooking a pasta class to bring everyone together.

A college friend showed up, along with Lelê, a former coworker who is now a close friend and partner in the project — our first proof that everyone has a place in this circle.

From there, the challenge became growth: how to sustain the meetups and keep finding new ideas. We started planning outings, mini-classes and icebreaker games — all designed to help each participant express themselves with more confidence, at their own pace.

The community grows

Today our community keeps growing — there is always someone curious wanting to join, and that curiosity is exactly what we want to nurture. Our purpose is to encourage these young people to face their fears, showing that here, difference is welcome and everyone moves at their own pace.

Every meetup is unique: someone new is always arriving, with new stories and real connections. Some never miss a meetup — like Luiz, always engaged and helping others —, some come when they can, and some are experiencing their very first meetup. No pressure, lots of warmth.

We know taking that first step can be nerve-wracking. That is why we always say: the hardest part is simply deciding to come. Once you are here, the magic happens.

And the circle continues

Our idea was never just to bring together young people with a diagnosis — it is to bring together anyone who wants to connect, build social skills and form real relationships, with or without a diagnosis. For that, society also needs to welcome and include. Our circle keeps growing because we believe connection can transform. Come be part of it.