Facilitating Autistic Peer Support Groups - by Bird Sellergren (Paperback)

About the Book

A guide for facilitators hosting peer support sessions for autistic individuals, including advice on how to prepare and run meetings online and in-person.

Book Synopsis

This is a practical and comprehensive introduction to running peer support groups for autistic adults. Filled with facilitation strategies based in the core values of emotional safety, openness, mutual respect, and autonomy, this hand-on guide allows facilitators to nurture a trusting and healing environment.

Split into four parts, part one presents the values, intentions, and ethical principles that shape how groups operate. Part two focuses on applied practice, including how to structure meetings, defining roles, and sustaining emotional balance. Part three addresses the challenges facilitators may face within group spaces using a trauma-informed approach. Lastly, part four centers the wellbeing of facilitators themselves, offering mindfulness techniques and encouraging self-awareness and boundaries.

Each chapter ends with reflection prompts and each part is introduced by a case study to help you connect meaningfully to your work. This book also includes an appendix summarizing techniques into quick, practical summaries for easy reference, making it the go-to guide for anyone operating in the autistic peer support space.

Review Quotes

As an autistic activist who has long been critical of peer support spaces designed and overseen by neurotypical facilitators, I found this book genuinely transformative. Bird Sellergren's approach to active listening, troubleshooting, and facilitator self-care sets a new standard - and the framework translates powerfully beyond peer support groups into neuro-affirming respite care practice. An essential resource for anyone building authentic autistic community.--Alex Kronstein, autistic activist, filmmaker, entrepreneur and respite care practitioner

Sellergren has created a compassionate, empowering, and affirming guide to facilitating autistic peer support groups. Their practical wisdom and powerful commitment to autistic knowledge, relationality and autonomy make this an essential read for facilitators, practitioners and researchers alike.--Katie Munday, Autistic researcher and youth work leader

Peer support groups are an invaluable resource for autistic well-being, and Bird Sellegren has written the definitive guide on running them well. Clear, accessible, practical, and grounded in deep wisdom and even deeper compassion.--Nick Walker, PhD, author of Neuroqueer Heresies

About the Author

Bird Sellergren, M.A., is an autistic advocate, group facilitator, coach, educator, mindfulness teacher, and founder of Bay Area Autism Collective (BAAC), a nonprofit organization that provides peer support groups for autistic adults. With expertise in neurodiversity, lived experience in the autistic community, and training facilitators to run autistic peer support groups, Bird offers unique insights into creating inclusive, mindful, autism affirming spaces for connection and support.