Events around Middle Tennessee

Parent Support Group - Murfreesboro

7:00–8:00 PMOnline — sign up to get the linkFreeParents and caregivers · any diagnosis or none

Cameras are optional, you may come late or leave early, and meetings are not recorded. No meeting on November 26, December 24, or December 31.

Parent Support Group - Wilson County

7:00–8:00 PMOnline — sign up to get the linkFreeParents and caregivers · any diagnosis or none

Cameras are optional, you may come late or leave early, and meetings are not recorded.

We Rock the Spectrum Murfreesboro — Wednesday group (opens in a new tab)

5:00 PMWe Rock the Spectrum, 820 N Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro

Led by Cari Parr. Call (615) 962-8627 for current details.

Sing and Connect

Wednesdays at 10:00 AM | September 30th – November 18thWe Rock the Spectrum Franklin, 1113 Murfreesboro Rd #203, FranklinFreeNeurodivergent kids 0-5 yrs old · Siblings-welcome

Wednesday Morning Music Group. Heart & Soul Music Therapy. 45 min music + 15 min of fellowship with community. Scan to register.

Movehaus Open Gym (opens in a new tab)

8:30 AM–12:30 PMNext Level Skills Basketball Academy, Nashville$100 for the morning, or $35 for one hour

Friday open gym at Next Level Skills Basketball Academy in Nashville. $100 for the full morning, or $35 for one hour.

PDA Parent Support Group — The Self-Care Spot (opens in a new tab)

1:00–2:00 PM CentralOnline$50 per group (reduced fee available)Parents and caregivers of children with an identified or suspected PDA profile

An online peer group for parents and caregivers throughout Tennessee. No formal diagnosis is required, and there is no age limit for the child. Led by Rayne Satterfield, LCSW. $50 per group, with a reduced fee available.

See the flyer

Super Builders LEGO Club

6:00–7:30 PMPartners in Healing Group, 132 Heritage Park Dr, Ste 2, Murfreesboro$30 per session for one child and one adult, $5 for each additional personKids ages 5 and up, and a parent or caregiver

A LEGO club for kids ages 5 and up, with a parent group at the same time. It meets every 2 weeks, 6:00–7:30 PM. $30 per session covers one child and one adult. Each additional person is $5. Email llantz@partnersinhealing.info or call (615) 280-0772.

Connect — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

6:30–8:00 PMOnlineAutistic adults 18+ · self- or clinically diagnosed

Peer connection online; registration is required.

Game Day — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

12:00–3:00 PMNashville — location provided with registrationAutistic children, teens, and adults · families welcome

Games and community time; registration is required and food is provided.

Online Spectrum Families — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

6:30 PMOnline via ZoomFreeFamily members

A monthly online support group; registration is required.

Spectrum Connection — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

4:30–6:00 PMOnlineLGBTQIA+ autistic adults

Orientation and registration are required before joining.

Teen Connect — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

6:00–8:00 PMNashville — location provided with registrationFreeNeurodivergent teens ages 14–17

An in-person peer group for teens; registration is required.

Unveiling Autistic Identity — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

6:30–8:00 PMOnline via ZoomLate-discovered autistic adults

An online peer group for adults discovering their autistic identity later in life.

WENBY Peer Support Group — Autism Tennessee (opens in a new tab)

5:00–6:00 PMOnline via ZoomWomen, gender-expansive, and non-binary autistic adults

An online peer-support space for women, gender-expansive, and non-binary autistic adults.

Sensory Sessions with Love Learning Music (opens in a new tab)

11:00 AM–12:00 PMLinebaugh Public Library, MurfreesboroFamilies

Low-stimulation music activities plus information for families about local music-therapy resources.

rEcess

8:00–11:45 AMOtter Creek Church, 409 Franklin Road, BrentwoodFamilies of children with disabilities or different needs

Otter Creek Church is partnering with 99 Balloons to offer rEcess, a monthly respite for families of children with disabilities or different needs. Kids and siblings enjoy activities, games, and connection at OC. Parents get a few hours to rest, recharge, run errands, or do whatever they need. Email rebecca.whitaker@ottercreek.org to reserve a spot. All are welcome at OC.

Sensory Sensitive Sundays — Chuck E. Cheese Mt. Juliet (opens in a new tab)

Opens 2 hours early (about 9:00–11:00 AM)Chuck E. Cheese, 60 Belinda Pkwy, Mt. JulietFamilies; designed for children with autism, sensory processing differences, ADHD or other special needs

On the first Sunday of each month the Mt. Juliet fun center opens two hours before normal hours with dimmed lights, reduced sound and no flashing effects. Sunday hours normally start at 11 AM. Call (615) 773-8400 to confirm the next date.

TRIAD Early Intervention Lunch & Learn (opens in a new tab)

11:00 AM–12:30 PM CentralOnlineNo costEarly intervention providers

An online professional-development session from Vanderbilt TRIAD.

Toy Adaptation Event — STAR Center

10:00 AM–2:00 PMSTAR Center, 475 Metroplex Drive, Suite 212, NashvilleFamilies of children with disabilities and differences

Learn how toys are adapted for children with differing abilities, pick up toys that were adapted earlier, or bring your own toys to be adapted. Questions go to Jeremy St. Pierre (jeremy.stpierre@star-center.org) or Beth Johnson (beth.johnson@star-center.org).

All Access Night: Fall on the Farm (opens in a new tab)

6:00–8:00 PMDiscovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 SE Broad Street, MurfreesboroFreeFamilies of children with disabilities

A sensory-friendly evening at the Discovery Center for families of children with disabilities. Children can explore the exhibits, play and try hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities with smaller crowds and less noise. It is free, but registration is required.

Village Hall — AAC Round Table

9:30–11:00 AM CentralOnline — register to get the linkPay what you can ($0–$35)Parents and caregivers · any diagnosis or none

An AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) round table with Dr. Taylor Hickok, speech-language pathologist and founder of Our Special Village, and special guests Amanda Rains of PRC-Saltillo and Kerry Hankins-Grider of Tobii Dynavox, then live parent questions. AAC isn't only for people who don't speak. Registration is open.

Special Needs Mothers Retreat (opens in a new tab)

11:00 AM–2:00 PMNorthField Church, 2100 Nashville Pike, GallatinMoms of children with disabilities and differences

A half-day Caregiver Connections retreat for moms of children with disabilities and differences: a few hours to be pampered and to connect with other moms. Registration is required.

Parents' Night Out (opens in a new tab)

4:00–8:00 PM · children received from 3:45 PM; pickup by 8:00 PMMurfreesboro Campus, 4137 Shelbyville Highway, MurfreesboroFreeChildren ages 6 weeks–12 years · all abilities, including spectrum and children needing additional support

Impact Church’s first Parents' Night Out is a free evening for parents. Children ages 6 weeks through 12 years get games, a Bible story, freeplay, worship, dinner, a movie, crafts, and time to meet new friends. Church volunteers provide care. The evening is open to children with all abilities, including those on the spectrum and those who need additional support. Children are received from 3:45 PM; pick up by 8:00 PM. Dinner is chicken nuggets, hashbrowns, two kinds of fruit, and water. Parents may pack an alternate meal, labeled with the child’s name, for dietary needs, and may send special toys or equipment. Registration is open until October 28 or until spots fill. Spots are limited, and additional forms are required. Both options are free: children with no special need, and children with a diagnosis or who need additional support.

How America Found Its Sound — Nashville Symphony family concert (opens in a new tab)

3:00 PMSchermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place, NashvilleFamilies · every Family Series concert is sensory friendly

A family concert from the Nashville Symphony about how the music of many cultures, including Native American music, the blues, jazz and American folk, came together to shape the nation's sound. Family Series concerts are sensory friendly, with raised lighting, flexible seating, quiet spaces, and fidget toys and headphones to borrow.

Daily Living Skills for Autistic Teens and Young Adults (opens in a new tab)

12:00–1:00 PM CentralVanderbilt One Magnolia Circle, Room 241 · online option

A Vanderbilt Kennedy Center session with in-person and online attendance options.

Super Sports Saturday — ABLE Youth (opens in a new tab)

9:00 AM–12:00 PMWilliamson County Recreation Center, FranklinKids of all ages

Kids play adaptive sports and games and meet new friends. Email ABLE Youth to RSVP.

Parents' Night Out with TN Caregiver Coalition (opens in a new tab)

5:00–8:00 PMConnection United Methodist Church, 2846 Lebanon Pike, NashvilleChildren with disabilities · siblings welcome

A monthly evening of respite. Children with disabilities play games, make crafts, enjoy music and spend time with friends while parents and caregivers take a break. Each child is paired one-on-one with a volunteer, and siblings are welcome.

TRIAD Early Intervention Lunch & Learn (opens in a new tab)

11:00 AM–12:30 PM CentralOnlineNo costEarly intervention providers

An online professional-development session from Vanderbilt TRIAD.

ABLE Youth Christmas Party (opens in a new tab)

11:00 AM–2:00 PMBerry’s Chapel Church of Christ, Franklin

ABLE Youth’s year-end celebration. RSVPs are required; use the official event page for current instructions.

All Access Night: Holiday Party (opens in a new tab)

6:00–8:00 PMDiscovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 SE Broad Street, MurfreesboroFreeFamilies of children with disabilities

A holiday-themed sensory-friendly evening at the Discovery Center for families of children with disabilities. With smaller crowds and reduced sensory stimulation, children can explore the museum after hours and try hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities. It is free, but registration is required.

Caregiver Expo — TN Caregiver Coalition (opens in a new tab)

10:00 AM–1:00 PMNashville School of the Arts, 1250 Foster Avenue, NashvilleFreeCaregivers in Tennessee · children welcome in the Kids Zone

A free morning just for caregivers, with information on local supports, service providers to meet, free food and a gift card giveaway. Free respite care is offered if you register the person you care for, and a Kids Zone has a bounce house, art and sensory bins.

Santa's Sensory Wonderland — Mindful Voices Autism Advocacy

10:00 AM–1:00 PMMarriott Cool SpringsFamilies · local resources

Save the date for families and local resources. Hosted by Mindful Voices Autism Advocacy in partnership with Light Hill Ministries. No ticket URL was published on the flyer.

TRIAD Early Intervention Lunch & Learn: Toileting Part I: Before You Start (opens in a new tab)

11:00 AM–12:30 PMOnline webinarFreeEarly intervention providers

A free online lunch-and-learn from TRIAD (Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders) at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for early intervention providers, on getting ready to start toilet training. It offers 1.5 continuing education hours. Apply through the TRIAD registration form.

The Conductor's Spellbook — Nashville Symphony family concert (opens in a new tab)

3:00 PMSchermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place, NashvilleFamilies · every Family Series concert is sensory friendly

An interactive family concert: young Tony Stradivarius finds a book of spells, and the audience learns about the instruments of the orchestra and the conductor along the way. Family Series concerts are sensory friendly, with raised lighting, flexible seating, quiet spaces, and fidget toys and headphones to borrow.