They come from different neighborhoods and have different interests. But what brings these New Yorkers together — aside from crafting musical instruments from unconventional materials — is that they are all autistic.

"I started it just to find people, connect with people,” said Nicole Russell, who hosted the get-together. “But then very quickly discovered, like, this is something that we need. So just kind of blew up from there."

Russell founded Autistic Adults NYC in 2022 after struggling to find social opportunities for autistic adults outside of academic settings. 

She got her diagnosis while in graduate school, and soon organized a small meet-up in Central Park.

"People kept coming up to me and saying, 'Hey, like, glad you started this. Like, I've been trying to find something like this,'" she said.

Since then, the group has grown to more than 600 members, offering classes, hangouts and virtual events tailored to the needs of autistic adults.

"The way we interact, our humor, it's just, like us as autistic people, we just kind of connect and experience the world differently," Russell said.

The nonprofit is run entirely by and for people on the spectrum, providing not only social connection but also practical support — from job resources to housing assistance.

"It's just been a process of learning what the community needs and seeing if we can put something together," she said.

Members say the group has helped them find friendships, community and acceptance.

"Made a lot of friends, met a lot of people,” said Amanda Siedner, a member of Autistic Adults NYC. “Found that I'm not the only one."

"It's like I, I found my tribe," added Glenn Abirujaya, another member.

The group recently celebrated Autism Acceptance Day with its members, continuing to provide a welcoming space for those who say they are “wired differently.”

"All of my friends, I've met through the group,” Russell said. “It's just a big part of my life, and I'm just really happy that it exists."

For her work building community among the city’s autistic adults, Nicole Russell is this week’s New Yorker of the Week.