Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to apply for membership at the Common Room?

To apply for membership, you must be 18 years or older and schedule an interview with one of our staff members to see if the Common Room is a good match for you. In many cases, members are typically looking for a comfortable place to hang out with like-minded adults. While some members of the Common Room may be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, formal diagnoses are not required, and membership is not limited to those who may have them. The discovery process begins when you submit an inquiry email on our website.

Why is the discovery process necessary before becoming a confirmed Member of the Common

Room?

The discovery process allows us to get to know you as an individual. We discuss your likes and dislikes, learn about your talents and challenges, and determine if we are able to provide recreational opportunities that might appeal to you. The better we know you, the better we can provide a comfortable, safe and engaging environment that offers varied opportunities for you to enjoy.

What happens after an inquiry email is submitted to The Common Room?

A Common Room staff member will schedule a pre-interview with you. This pre-interview is an opportunity for The Common Room to provide more information to you, and engage in a conversation around potential compatibility with the current membership.
If both staff and you feel moving forward to completing an application is the next step, you will submit a completed membership application either online or print and mail it to us.
Once the submitted application is received by The Common Room, a staff member will reach out to references you provide in your application to better get to know you as a potential member.
The next step is to complete an in-person interview with the Executive Director of the Common Room. During this interview, you have an opportunity to ask further questions about The Common Room membership, and for the Executive Director to find out more about you, your interests, and compatibility with current membership participants.
Finally, you will be notified regarding membership approval from a Common Room staff member upon acceptance.
Once you are offered membership and return the completed membership documentation, your Common Room experience begins with a welcome tour by one of our staff.

Can I bring a family member, friend or support person to participate in the discovery process with me prior to confirmed membership?

For the tour or initial meeting, you are welcome to bring a family member, friend or support person.

All Common Room programs and activities are open only to confirmed members. This allows us to provide a comfortable, safe environment for those who have completed the discovery process.

If you would like to bring a guest to The Common Room, they can accompany you, but must wait in a designated area while you participate in programs and activities.

Is there a membership fee, and is there financial aid available?

As of February 2025, we have instituted a $100/month membership fee to help defray our administrative costs.

Members will be responsible for their own spending money when participating in community activities and/or trips.

If you are unable to pay the monthly fee, please do not hesitate to speak with a staff member about financial aid. The Common Room is committed to making sure all members are able to participate.

Do you accept healthcare insurance?

We do not accept healthcare insurance payment for participation. Please feel free to contact a staff member to discuss how we can support your membership participation.

What kind of activities will the Common Room offer?

The Common Room provides varied recreational activities and cultural experiences to meet the diverse interests of our members. Opportunities to just hang out or engage with others take place within the Common Room house, as well as during community activities and trips. Open hours are posted on our website, so members have the opportunity to leave their houses or apartments to meet others, participate in activities, or simply relax in a comfortable environment. Sample activities and rooms may include:

Movie nights
Kayaking
Game room
Gaming tournaments
Library room
Hiking
Wellness room
Cooking lessons
Museum tours

When can a member begin to enjoy Common Room activities?

Once membership is confirmed, you will receive a login to access our activities calendar and program descriptions. The calendar will detail our in-house activities as well as community activities and trips. All members are free to choose what interests them, and participation is voluntary. Our staff members are happy to answer questions and provide guidance for any member who would like assistance in deciding which items on our itinerary are the best fit for them. The Common Room is open during scheduled activities.

What are your hours of operation?

The Common Room is currently open for activities throughout the week in specific blocks depending on our scheduled monthly itinerary.
Our current time slots are:

10AM - 1PM
2PM - 5PM
6PM - 9PM

Our administrative staff hours are 10AM - 6PM, Mon - Fri.

How can I feel safe and comfortable while participating in activities?

The Common Room has a required climate and conduct code for all members and staff. Copies are provided to every member and are posted in all areas of The Common Room. These guidelines request that all participants respect confidentiality, respect personal space and boundaries, and work together to keep our shared space comfortable and accepting of differences. For more information, please click on Climate and Conduct to be directed to our full code of conduct.