About The Enrolment Pack
This document explains what A.S. Social is and how it works. Its purpose is to give you all the necessary information in one place. This will help you decide if our programme is a good fit for you.
You will find clear, factual explanations of the following:
Our core principles. We explain why we focus on your goals and not forced social skills.
The structure of our programme. We break down the 7 levels of focus, such as Sensory and Social Fatigue.
An introduction to Sam, who will be your guide. All our coaches are autistic.
A description of the online system you will use. We explain its layout and functions.
The specific steps to begin the programme after you enrol.
This document is for you to keep. You can read it all at once or in sections. We use clear headings so you can easily find the information you need. We hope this has answered all your questions, and we understand that it takes time to process; we will check in with you in the coming days to see if there was anything we missed.
Welcome to a Space Designed for You
A.S. Social is built on the belief that autistic ways of being are valid and valuable. This programme isn't about learning to 'act neurotypical.' It's about giving you the tools, understanding, and community to navigate a neurotypical-majority world with more confidence and less burnout. Here, your lived experience is the expert.
Our programme is specifically created for autistic adults by autistic adults. We understand the unique challenges and strengths that come with being autistic in a neurotypical world, and we've designed every aspect of our programme with this in mind.
Programme Levels
Key Methodologies
We use the Winnie Dunn® model to create your personal Sensory Report and Toolkit. This identifies your specific sensitivities and provides strategies to manage your environment, preventing overwhelm before it starts.
This is a visual system for managing your daily energy. You will learn to "budget" your energy units (spoons) to avoid burnout by making informed choices about your social and daily activities.
We practice identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns. This includes techniques like recognizing the physical similarity between anxiety and excitement, helping you change your internal narrative in challenging situations.
This is safe, low-pressure practice for social interactions. We use and adapt conversation scripts to build confidence and create a familiar "bank" of scenarios, reducing the anxiety of the unexpected.
We break down social exchanges into a clear, logical structure. This provides a reusable template that reduces the mental load of navigating conversations.
Level Breakdown
This programme is organised into 7 core levels. This structure provides a clear, predictable pathway for your development. For each level, you will have access to:
- A dedicated workshop with your Social Coach
- Digital resources and activities in your portal
- A reflective journal to process your learning
This structure is designed to give you clarity and control. You always know where you are, what you're working on, and what comes next. You direct the pace.
1. Social Goals
We begin by defining what you want. What does social success mean for you? We'll identify and break down your short and long-term goals, connecting them to possible community pathways.
2. Sensory
Sensory well-being is the foundation of sustainable social engagement. Before we work on "social skills," we work on your sensory profile. Using the Winnie Dunn® model, we'll complete a full sensory audit to create a personalised report and toolkit, helping you identify accommodations and prevent overwhelm.
3. Newness
Change is hard. This level equips you to handle transitions and new routines. We focus on managing capacity fluctuations, planning for fatigue, and creating "exit plans" so you can engage in new things without burning out.
4. Communication (Comms)
We explore your unique communication style. We'll look at literal interpretation, multi-phase instructions, and what happens when your comms go "offline." You'll build a personalised "tech toolkit" to make communication work for you.
5. Introductions
Who are you, and how do you want to represent yourself? We move beyond forced small talk to help you build self-confidence in social situations. You'll create social scripts, practice conversation flows, and develop a personal "elevator pitch" that feels authentic to you.
6. Social Fatigue (& Burnout)
Here, we integrate the powerful Spoon Theory to help you visualise and manage your energy. We delve into recognising the signs of burnout, understanding the profound impact of masking, and learning the vital skill of saying "no" to protect your energy.
7. Self-Representation
The culmination of your journey: empowered advocacy. We bring all your learnings together to help you confidently assert your needs in work, home, and social environments. You'll learn to leverage your sensory report as a tool for self-advocacy.
Social Coaches
Your Partnership with an A.S. Social Coach
At A.S. Social, the relationship with your coach is the cornerstone of your journey. This isn't a traditional therapist-client or teacher-student dynamic. It's a partnership built on a foundation of shared understanding.
All A.S. Social Coaches identify as being on the autism spectrum. This is a non-negotiable part of our model and our philosophy. We believe that the most effective guidance comes from lived experience.
Your Social Coach is your dedicated partner, your guide, and your proof that a fulfilling social life on your own terms isn't just a concept—it's an achievable reality.
What This Means For You
You won't need to spend your precious energy explaining why a room is too bright, why small talk is exhausting, or what it feels like to have your words stall during shutdown. We have our own sensory profiles, our own experiences with burnout, and our own social journeys. This creates an instant, profound level of trust and rapport. The relief of being truly understood from day one is often the first step toward genuine growth.
In your sessions, you can finally take off the mask. There is no pressure to perform neurotypicality, force eye contact, or suppress your stims. This is a space where you can be your authentic self, without judgment. We see your natural communication style not as a barrier, but as a language we already speak.
Your coach's expertise isn't just from a textbook; it's forged in real life. The strategies we share aren't just clinically sound—they are personally tested. We know what it's like to navigate a neurotypical world, and we've learned what actually works in practice, not just in theory. We are experts in translating autistic potential into practical, daily success.
Your coach is not there to "fix" you. They are a facilitator and a collaborator. Together, you will problem-solve, using your coach's lived experience and professional training to help you navigate your specific challenges. It's a conversation between two autistic adults—one who is there to guide, support, and champion the other.
Your coach is a living example of an autistic adult thriving by their own rules. Through this partnership, you will see self-advocacy, unmasked communication, and sensory accommodation modeled for you every day. This is perhaps the most powerful lesson of all: seeing what is possible.
Meet Sam
My own social journey has been anything but a straight line. It's been a map crisscrossed with the routes I've taken, both across the world and within myself.
I've built a life across London, Berlin, and now here in Melbourne—not just visiting, but truly living in these cities.
Each move was a masterclass in decoding new social rules, new sensory landscapes, and new ways of connecting. I learned that while the language or the customs change, the core challenge for an autistic person remains: how to build a genuine life without losing yourself in the process.
My path wasn't shaped by mainstream education. I was unschooled, which meant my education was driven by my own curiosities and deep dives into my interests, not a standardised curriculum. This taught me early on that there is no one "right" way to learn, grow, or be. It cemented my belief that the most profound development happens when we are free to follow our own unique patterns of thinking and engaging with the world.
For me, autism isn't a disorder to be managed; it's the normal way my brain operates. It's the lens through which I experience everything—from the vibrant energy of a new city to the quiet focus of a special interest. This philosophy is at the heart of my coaching.
We won't be working on "fixing" you to fit a neurotypical mould. Instead, we'll be collaborating on how to build a social life that accommodates your neurology as the default setting, not an exception.
My interests are in the patterns of things: in cities, in philosophies, and in people. I love understanding how systems work, and I see social interaction as one of the most complex and fascinating systems of all. My role is not to be an expert on your life, but to be an expert facilitator, using my lived experience and tools to help you become the author of your own social story. I am here to partner with you, to listen, and to help you translate your goals into a reality that feels energising and authentically you.
Digital Portal
Your personal online portal is designed to support your journey through the A.S. Social programme. It provides a clear, structured environment where you can track your progress, access resources, and manage your learning at your own pace.
This is your home screen. It shows your progress through the 7 levels in a clear visual format, so you always know what you're working on and what's next.
Access video workshops, activities, and resources for each level whenever you have the capacity. Pause, rewatch, and process information at the speed that works for your brain.
Visually track your journey, celebrate your milestones, and understand how each piece builds towards your larger goals.
Everything you need is in one place. Your Sensory Profile, your Spoon Theory tracker, your Conversation Flows, and your personal "Hack List" are all stored and accessible within the portal.
Your A.S. Contact
We're here to support you throughout your journey with A.S. Social. Whether you have questions before enrolling, need technical support with the portal, or want to discuss your progress, we're just a message away.
We understand that reaching out can sometimes feel challenging. Please know that you can contact us in whatever way feels most comfortable for you, and we'll respond in a way that respects your communication preferences.