Illustration of four diverse neurodivergent creators engaging in creative activities under the banner 'AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective' with colorful and welcoming design.

AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective

A New Era of Inclusive Storytelling

logos for Neurodivergent Creators Collective and Autism Empowerment next to each other
Welcome | Upcoming Events (see below) | Past Events | Resource Library

Upcoming Social Connection and Learning Opportunities:

Chill and Chat

Need a free low-key space to connect with fellow neurodivergent creatives? Join us each month for Chill and Chat, a relaxed Zoom gathering hosted by AE-NCC Program Lead Brian Tashima.

When: The 1st Saturday of each month (unless otherwise indicated)

Upcoming Dates for 2026: September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th
Time: 3:00 PM Pacific
Length: 45–60 minutes (based on group energy)
Location: Online via Zoom
Who’s it for? Neurodivergent Creators Collective members and visiting guests (Membership is free!)

Zoom Link (same each month): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86095978904

Whether you want to share your current creative project, ask questions, brainstorm, or just hang out and listen, you’re welcome here! These chats are not recorded, and you are not required to turn on your camera or speak if you just feel like hanging out and want to get a feel for who we are. No pressure, just friendly faces, creative energy, and good vibes.

Let’s build community, support each other, and grow together—one chat at a time.

AE-NCC Learning Workshops

Our workshops are free to attend and are offered in various formats, including in-person only, Zoom only, and a hybrid format — meaning you can join us in-person or livestream via Zoom from wherever you are.

All in-person workshops are currently held at:

Stephen’s Place, 501 SE Ellsworth Rd, Vancouver, WA 98664.

RSVPs are highly encouraged but not required. If you’re planning to attend an in-person event, please try and let us know ahead of time so we can set up chairs and tables, determine how many study guides to print, and plan snacks. (Water and light snacks will be available for free.)

Livestream attendees can also click the Zoom link at the scheduled time. We will be recording most Zoom presentations and will make them available on our website and the Autism Empowerment YouTube channel afterward.

Future workshops are listed below, along with links. For past workshop events, study guides, video recordings and handouts from each event (where applicable) will be linked to on our Past Events page. Whether you’re local or joining from afar, we welcome you to come learn, connect, and create with us! We look forward to seeing what you create!

Upcoming Workshops:

🎵 Brian Tashima: Songwriting Boot Camp

Brian Tashima musician

In September, AE-NCC Program Coordinator Brian Tashima will be putting his instructor cap back on for a fun and interactive session on writing your own songs! He’ll cover subjects like finding inspiration, the chicken-and-egg question of where to start – music or lyrics, what goes into crafting a catchy melody, and much more.

In addition to being an author, Brian’s also a musician who has played guitar and sang in bands for many years. One of his first bands won a Hoku Award, which is Hawaii’s version of the Grammys, and he’s written songs that have been licensed for use by numerous media outlets including MLB Network, The Golf Channel, Access Hollywood, and others.

Saturday, September 19th, 2026
 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time 

Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)

Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward.

Registration link:  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/brian-tashima-songwriting-bootcamp

Tanya English🧵Tanya English: Costume Design

Just in time for Halloween, Autism Empowerment Board Member Tanya English will be presenting a practical and entertaining workshop on costume design! She’ll talk about getting creative with items you own and how upcycling can help you practice without pressure or a big budget. She will also cover how costumes are a part of storytelling even in everyday situations and how you can use concepts of costume design to tell your own story. 
Tanya has an Associate’s degree in Fashion Design and has been creating custom cosplay outfits for her children for years. In addition to serving on the Autism Empowerment board, she is also the Director of Community Impact and Organizational Development for PEACE NW, a nonprofit that serves individuals and families with children who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Saturday, October 17th, 2026
 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time 

Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)

Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward.

Registration link: Will be posted in late September 2026

Documentary Film Screening Conversation with Annette M. King and Janet Miller:

The Art of Belonging Documentary FilmThe Art of Belonging: Seen, Heard, and Included

For our November 2026 AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective workshop, we’re doing something a little different. We will be hosting a screening of the short documentary film The Art of Belonging: Seen, Heard, and Included, followed by a conversation with filmmaker Annette M. King and featured participant Janet Miller.

Produced and directed by Annette M. King of Splicer Films, The Art of Belonging shares the story of lives being impacted through Project Awareness and Special Sports (PAASS), a nonprofit program centered around inclusion, belonging, and community connection.

At its heart, this documentary is about the power of people coming together. Through the stories of participants, volunteers, family members, and supporters, the film highlights what can happen when a community creates opportunities, values each person, and embraces inclusion in action.

The documentary runs approximately 25 minutes. After the screening, Annette and Janet will join us for a conversation about the film, the story behind it, and the importance of creating spaces where people are seen, heard, and included.

This workshop is a wonderful fit for neurodivergent creators, filmmakers, storytellers, nonprofit leaders, disability advocates, community builders, families, and anyone interested in documentary storytelling, inclusion, and belonging.

Saturday, November 21st, 2026
 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time 

Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)

Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward. Watch the official film trailer now.

Registration link: Will be posted in late September 2026

📱Introduction to UGC: User-Generated Content for Beginning Creators

John and Karen Krejcha from Autism Empowerment and John and Karen CreateIn December, Autism Empowerment’s AE Neurodivergent Creators Collective will host Introduction to UGC: User-Generated Content for Beginning Creators, a beginner-friendly workshop with UGC creators and Autism Empowerment co-founders Karen and John Krejcha.

UGC, or user-generated content, is a creative field where everyday creators make short videos, product demonstrations, reviews, tutorials, testimonials, and other content that brands may use in their marketing. For neurodivergent creators who are interested in earning income through creative work but may not feel ready to pursue traditional acting, voiceover, filmmaking, or entertainment-industry pathways, UGC can be a practical and approachable place to begin.

In this workshop, Karen and John will introduce participants to what UGC is, how it connects with other creative skills, and how beginning creators can start exploring it in a realistic, low-pressure way. The workshop will look at UGC through a creative lens, including connections to acting, voiceover, storytelling, video editing, comedy, documentary-style spokesperson content, product demonstrations, and short-form video creation. 

Topics will include understanding the difference between organic UGC, paid UGC, and influencer content; filming your first practice videos with products you already have at home; creating simple scripts and hooks; building a starter portfolio using tools like Canva; exploring beginner-friendly platforms; and learning how to evaluate opportunities wisely. We’ll also be sharing a variety of beginner-friendly content examples.

This workshop is designed for neurodivergent creators, actors, voiceover artists, filmmakers, editors, writers, storytellers, YouTubers, podcasters, and curious beginners who are interested in creative content creation and potential income opportunities outside of more traditional entertainment-industry paths.

Saturday, December 19th, 2026
 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pacific Time 

Location: Live via Zoom (link will be provided after registration)

Note: This workshop will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing afterward however we encourage you to attend live!

Registration link: Will be posted in late September 2026

Membership is free, and joining is as easy as signing up at this link!

You’ll be added to the AE-NCC email list and will receive notices about events, resources, and creative opportunities, delivered straight to your inbox.

If you want to learn more, please email:

Program Leader: Brian Tashima at brian@autismempowerment.org.

For general information about Autism Empowerment programs or services, please email John Krejcha at info@autismempowerment.org

Representation matters. Stories change lives.

Support AE-NCC with a donation today and help us create a kinder, more inclusive world through the power of media and creativity.

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Welcome | Upcoming Events (see above) | Past Events | Resource Library

Last updated 9/5/2026