Online communities that support creative, highly sensitive, gifted, neurodivergent people
How might participating in a community of others that share your unique personality and cognitive differences help enhance your personal growth and emotional health?
Here are a few communities to consider :
People Who Get Me: A Gifted Neurodivergent Group Experience
The Sensitive Empowerment Community
The Haystack, a community for 2e Adults
Embracing Intensity Membership and Library
The Highly Sensitive Hub
Our Wild Minds
Sounds True One Membership
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People Who Get Me: A Gifted Neurodivergent Group Experience
This community is part of the Gifted and Growing site by Gordon Smith, LPC, providing “Self-Development for Gifted Adolescents and Adults.”
How Online Improv Helps Gifted 2e People - clip from interview with Gordon Smith
Hear the full length audio interview: How Online Improv Helps Gifted/2e People - Julie Skolnick interviews Gordon Smith.
Testimonials from members:
“I was shocked by how quickly the group members and I were able to freely share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I was also surprised and overjoyed with the comfort doing so provided. Gordon did an excellent job providing us with thoughtful and helpful material to read and discuss and expertly moderated the group sessions.” – Trent M.
“Being newly aware of my giftedness, this group came along at the perfect time. It has given me a sense of community and connectedness with other gifted people, and much opportunity for personal growth. The topics we explored have helped me have a better understanding of my experience of life, and challenged me to expand my own thinking. Gordon is truly gifted at what he does. He provided a wealth of information that I will continue to study and practice in the present and future.” – Keri H.
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The Sensitive Empowerment Community
Therapist and author Julie Bjelland provides “support, empowerment, and inspiration for highly sensitive people all over the world” – including this membership program away from Facebook and other social media.
video: How an Intentional Community Benefits Highly Sensitive People
A member writes:
“Thank you for such loving words and the support! This community you created has made me feel so welcomed, understood and provides a beautiful garden that I feel comfortable to share my vulnerabilities openly and have a positive space that feeds me with beauty in so many ways!
“I feel like I have a team on this journey now and we are all working together on this great project! The exchanges are priceless.”
Another member writes: “The community is such a special part of my life.”
More testimonials:
One section of this Community:
Autistic Women: A Support Group Empowering the Adult-Diagnosed or Self-Diagnosed created by Julie Bjelland, LMFT. She summarizes:
“This support group is free for members of my Sensitive Empowerment Community.
“I am thrilled to share that we have started a new, empowering support group, a haven created by and for Autistic women who have navigated the unique journey of receiving a diagnosis later in life (or suspect they are Autistic).
“We’ll talk more about what the trait looks like in women, share aha moments, and enjoy spending time in a space with others discovering this new identity, too! We might have lots of emotions about this new awareness.”
The Sensitive Empowerment Community
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The Haystack, a community for 2e Adults
Julie Skolnick of With Understanding Comes Calm, from her newsletter:
“If you're a Gifted and Distractible adult (aka, "2e" or "Twice Exceptional"), you know it's hard to find people you relate to and who understand you. That's why I created The Haystack, a membership community of like-minded 2e adults from all over the world who are searching for peers just like you!”
She adds,
“Join us in The Haystack to discover the real magic of our community—the breakout rooms. This is where connections are forged, where you meet like-minded individuals who truly understand your unique perspective on life.”
Some testimonials:
“I’m so thankful for Julie’s knowledge, and the kindness and generosity of the community.”
“The combination of alternating weeks of webinar/speaker sessions then open discussion was really helpful for processing and internalizing what I learned.”
Julie Skolcick notes in her newsletter:
Not only will you have access to a safe space to connect and engage with like-minded 2e adults, but you will have the opportunity to meet the experts who join us for the Webinars during one of our live Q&A sessions!
One of the guest experts: Nicole Tetrault, PH.D. - here is an excerpt:
More from the Haystack page:
Did you know that when you join, you get complete access to our previous monthly themes?
Here is what you can find in your member vault when you join:
The Importance of Laughter and Play with Otto Siegel and Gordon Smith
Organization and the 2e Mind with Linda Roggli
Freedom to be YOU - The Role of Masking in 2e Adult Lives with Melanie Hayes
And here is a sneak preview of our upcoming monthly themes:
Family, Relationships, Expectations with Eric Windhorst
Finding Neurodiversity Affirming Mental Health Support with Ed Amend and Nicole Tetreault
Multi Exceptionalities - Exploring Culture and Gender with Joy Lawson Davis and PJ Sedillo
Learn more at The Haystack, a community for 2e Adults
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Embracing Intensity Membership and Free Resource Library
Includes links to the Embracing Intensity Community, blog posts, podcasts, videos, Course Membership, and more.
Embracing Intensity by Aurora Remember provides “support & tools for gifted & creative neurodivergents. A “community, podcast and other media dedicated to help you use your fire without getting burned.”
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Jules De Vitto of The Highly Sensitive Human writes:
I’m excited to share that the new Highly Sensitive Hub members area will be opening its doors on May 13th 2024!
Are you a Highly Sensitive Person who is also a spiritual seeker and space-holder for others? Have you spent your life trying to understand why we are here and what your unique purpose is?
Do you crave connection with like-minded others? Do you feel called to make a difference in the world, but as a sensitive person, you find your voice is not always heard?
This is a community for Highly Sensitive People to align with their authentic nature and soul’s purpose so that they can become the sensitive changemakers, leaders and visionaries they are called to be.
Learn more about The Highly Sensitive Hub
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by Kaitlin Smith – “Support + inspiration for intense thinkers – Helping gifted BIPOC befriend + operationalize their natural gifts.”
Also listen to Creative Mind Audio podcast episode with Smith: Thriving more as gifted or BIPOC – navigating cultural dynamics and conformity pressures.
Kaitlin Smith, MSW is a Boston-based scholar, facilitator, and founder of Our Wild Minds which offers online community and programs that help gifted BIPOC.
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Sounds True One “provides members with a way to interact with a wide range of best-selling authors and wisdom teachers and engage in daily spiritual practices, all in the context of a loving community.
“This is a place for you to go and find whatever wisdom teachings you might need in the moment, including morning meditations to start the day together, evening sessions centered on rest and relaxation, and weekend specials that take you deeper into your own inward journey and path of service.
“As a member, you’ll receive access to shows, classes, live community events, and special Q&A sessions with the world’s leading transformational teachers on Sounds True One.
Your membership also includes our new Sounds True One Member Discount that gives members an additional 20% off Sounds True courses, books, ebooks, and audio programs.”