In 2021, we started a nonprofit, The Base at Franklin, with the mission to “provide safe spaces for the adult neurodivergent population to access community through peer-to-peer sharing of strengths, ideas, kindnesses, and experiences.” (BadAssSocialExchange)

Neuromagic happens in community…

Event flyer for an open base event at The Base At Franklin on Saturday, February 10th, from 3 to 6 pm at 5 NW Franklin Ave, Bend, OR 97703. Features body doubling activities and a mission to connect neurodivergent humans through ideas, experiences, and kindness. Includes decorative colorful shapes and an Instagram handle @baseatfranklin.

Within our little community, we’ve gathered for hundreds of groups and discussions, both volunteer and peer- facilitated. Through a private online space, we’ve been able to include folks from all over the state and beyond.

A woman smiling and holding a coffee cup stands next to a large, white unicorn mascot with a rainbow-colored mane and a golden horn at a convention booth.
Flyer for a cozy mugs tea and book group meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3:00, with autumn leaves and a steaming mug graphic in the background.
Group of four people holding paintings of trees with a moon, standing on a porch.
An advertisement for Halloween event featuring two carved pumpkins with glowing faces, a spooky background with ghostly clouds and a leafless tree, with text 'All Hollow's Eve at The Base' and 'Sunday October 30'.
An illustration on a fabric bag of a cute octopus with a smiling face surrounded by bubbles and small starfish, with the text 'The BASE goes coastal!'
A front yard scene with a tree wrapped in colorful yarn, a woman sitting on a bench, and a house with a window displaying a neon-colored spiral. There are crocheted blankets hanging on a fence and tight-knit decorations on a blue table. The house has a gray exterior, and the street has a sidewalk and grassy area.
Close-up of a pink greeting card with black swirling designs. The card features a central black rectangle with white text that reads, "BURN AFTER WRITING."
Colorful psychedelic swirl with the words "The Oasis" in the center in stylized font.

We’ve also collaborated on fundraising and grant writing which has helped fund events, celebrations, outreach efforts, and big and small adventures. As a group we’ve made 2 trips to Rose City ComicCon, a camping trip to Ashland, OR that included seeing a symphony at The Britt amphitheater, and in 2026 the Base went “coastal” on a camp trip to Florence, OR. Locally we do monthly downtown walkabouts, spending time at our favorite coffee shops, bookstores, and other local businesses. We also love walking to McMenamins to catch a movie, going to Pride Skate at the Pavilion, gaming at E4 Games, and the occasional trip to the bowling alley.

Colorful handwritten text saying 'Yes, it's alive!'
Colorful handwritten text that spells 'Show Me' with a rainbow-colored infinity symbol above it.

Group work

I started my first autistic adult group at Deschutes County Behavioral Health in 2018, and have since written and facilitated over 400 unique group curricula. Other groups I’ve facilitated include: The Happiness Course, Neuroqueer, Newer Diagnosed ADHD, ND parenting, and ND couples group.

So much of what I’ve learned has been alongside others through group …

A flyer about managing emotions and feelings, with sections titled 'WHEN?', 'WHO?', and 'HOW?'. The flyer includes information about a group meeting times, contact details for mental health support, and a colorful rainbow graphic.
A hand-drawn sign with the words 'Hello' in blue and 'Summer' in black, enclosed within a red outlined oval.
Colorful speech bubbles with smiling faces above group of diverse people silhouettes, illustrating themes of happiness, positivity, and connection.

Notes I’ve received…🌈💜🥰

  • Thank you very much for everything you’ve done to help me grow! Katelyn

    I'm so grateful to have discovered my neurodivergence and the safe communities that understand it instead of shaming it. Big hugs, thank you for helping me heal and grow into thriving Kiana 💚 Your work is angelic work. You've really helped me step out of the old suffering timeline. Miracles and blessings your way!! So excited to speak with you tomorrow 🥰 Jess

    I burst out the water works (unintentionally) and told the insurance person how many years I’ve been searching for a therapist I jive with. Ava

    I cannot thank you enough for all you’ve done to help me get to know, understand, and accept myself. You are a diamond in the rough to me and one of the only helpful therapists I’ve encountered to-date. I feel so lucky to have found you. Lori

    I walked by your office and I thought, there’s magic happening in there… Lacey, therapist colleague



  • Thanks Kiana.  It felt really good to share.  I do feel like a bit of rain came down from the clouds. Kyle

    Thank you so much 🙏🏽 I feel more seen and connected in the time we have than almost anywhere else and that means the world to me. Just so grateful to be a part of the group. Kelly

    These Tuesdays have been such an excellent life-saver/throw-rope experience for me to grab on to. Words cannot convey the gratitude I feel. 💓Thank you again ❤️ Corey

    Though you reign supreme as Meeting Master! Matt

    Great group tonight! Very engaged and engaging. Thank you for bringing all your wisdom and expertise on the topic. RS

  • Thanks for letting us know Kiana. If I lined up all the therapists I’ve known, and there have been plenty, you’d be designated the champion advocate. We’re fortunate to have you as an ally. Chris

    Thank you so much for creating this space for cultivating community. EM

    What you’re doing at the Base and in this community is invaluable and the world is better off because of your presence and work. Lisa

  • I want to thank you for making the time to visit with me yesterday.  My mind and heart were just humming when I left.  And still are.  You put voice and words to things I have felt, viscerally, for years, and the clarity of your understanding and empathy just cracked me wide open.

    I have read quite a bit about autism.  I have thought a lot about what it means to have a brain that truly functions and processes input in a different way.  I have marvelled at my son's brilliance and ached for his struggles.  But I'm not certain I really understood just how hard he has worked to be able to function in this messed up world.  And at what cost.  His slides into existential crisis make more sense to me, and I think I get why he is unable to pin down what precipitates them.  It is another kind of sensory overload, reaching a point where he just doesn't have any space left to stash the dissonance.

    I am so appreciative of your intelligent and compassionate approach to thinking about neurodivergence, a beautiful blend of science and heart.  It doesn't get much better than that.  So much of what you said rang true, just hummed for me, a good reminder to trust myself.  That trust is so critical, like a superpower, so that when someone says to me "he doesn't really present as autistic" I can be reminded to honor what I know to be true, whether he meets some clinical criteria or not.

    Take care, Kiana, and thank you.