Supporting Neurodivergent Adults and Individuals Across Life Stages
Who Are We
About the Just For Us™ Community
Just For Us™ is a program offered through the nonprofit I&O Wellness Center. It is a structured community designed to support neurodivergent adults in building independence, strengthening communication, and developing meaningful connections. Participants engage through guided learning experiences, with opportunities for both virtual participation and in-person connection. Participation in in-person gatherings is optional. Within this supportive environment, participants are introduced to one another and guided by the Just For Us team using a positive behavior support and person-centered approach.
Participation is flexible and accessible. Members may participate using a laptop or mobile phone and can log in at times that work best for them. While many activities are accessible on either device, live sessions with Coach Julie and some community learning experiences are encouraged to be completed on a laptop to provide a fuller and more interactive experience. Each week, the community typically offers 1–3 live scheduled sessions led by Coach Julie or members of the Just For Us team to further enhance opportunities for discussion and connection.
Who We Serve
Just For Us is a structured community designed to support neurodivergent adults who are seeking opportunities to build independence, strengthen communication, and develop meaningful connections. Participants are supported through guided learning experiences, with opportunities for both virtual participation and in-person connection.
Some participants may receive services through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) or similar programs in other states, while others may participate through private pay. During enrollment, participants will be asked to provide standard documentation consistent with requirements established by state governing bodies for approved service providers. This helps confirm eligibility and ensures a consistent and supportive community experience for all participants.
Just For Us does not conduct clinical evaluations or diagnoses. Documentation is reviewed in accordance with established protocols to confirm eligibility and support appropriate placement within the community.
Maintaining this focus helps preserve a private and respectful community where participants can learn, interact, and grow comfortably without fear of stigma or misunderstanding.
Support coordinators and care partners are welcome to assist participants during the intake process to help ensure a smooth and supportive onboarding experience.
Within the community, members have opportunities to practice everyday life skills such as organization, communication, interaction, and engagement through discussions, activities, and games.
Foundational wellness tools—including breathing practices, mindful movement, and healthy lifestyle habits—are woven throughout the experience to support overall well-being. The programs and learning experiences within the community are research-informed and thoughtfully designed by our founder, Coach Julie.
The goal is to create a supportive space where members can build confidence while developing practical skills that support independence and everyday success.
Within the community, members have opportunities to strengthen important life skills such as:
- Communication and positive social interaction
- Organization and planning
- Time management and task completion
- Executive functioning skills, including focus, problem-solving, and follow-through
- Participation in group discussions and shared activities
These experiences are designed to support learning, connection, and personal growth at a pace that respects each participant's individual strengths and learning style.
Our Mission, Our Approach
Our Mission
The mission of the Just For Us™ community is to provide a positive, neurodiversity-affirming space where adults with developmental experiences—such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and intellectual or developmental disabilities—can connect, grow, and belong.
Our Approach
The community utilizes a structured, person-centered approach rooted in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) principles.
This means our programs and interactions are designed to:
- Respect each individual's uniqueness and dignity
- Focus on building confidence and practical life skills
- Encourage self-advocacy and effective communication
- Celebrate progress and personal growth, rather than focusing solely on limitations
Just For Us™ is a structured community experience designed to support growth through guided learning and connection, with virtual participation and optional in-person opportunities based on client interest and location.
Join Us
A Community Built for Connection, Growth, and Belonging
Just For Us is a supportive community for neurodivergent adults who want opportunities to connect with others, build confidence, develop greater independence, and participate in meaningful activities and experiences.
We recognize that every person brings different strengths, goals, interests, experiences, and support needs. Just For Us is designed to provide a welcoming place where members can develop relationships, participate in community, and continue moving toward the life they want for themselves.
One Community with Multiple Hubs
Just For Us is one community with multiple Hubs. Our Hubs create opportunities for smaller-group connections among individuals navigating similar stages and pathways in life.
Your Hub provides a home base within the larger community—a place to connect more closely with peers who may share similar transitions, interests, goals, and everyday life experiences.
Hubs are not walls between members. Members will also have opportunities to meet, interact, and participate together through larger Just For Us activities, discussions, events, and shared community experiences. Hub identification simply helps members recognize where others may be in their life journey while creating additional opportunities for meaningful peer connection.
We recognize that people at similar stages of life can still have very different strengths, experiences, goals, and support needs. Our Hubs are designed to support connection—not to define or limit anyone based on age or ability.
Just For Us can be the community you choose to remain part of long term, or it can serve as a bridge as you build confidence, relationships, and skills that help you connect with broader communities. There is no single pathway. Our hope is that Just For Us meets you where you are, supports where you want to go, and gives you a place to belong along the way.
Community Intake Process
Getting started is simple. You will complete a brief intake with basic contact and emergency contact/care partner information, followed by the Community Ready Screening Tool (CRST™).
The CRST™ includes approximately 20 short questions about everyday communication, independence, coping, safety, and community participation.
The entire intake and screening process generally takes about 3–5 minutes.
Once you submit the CRST™, your responses are automatically scored. You will receive an email with your results and information about what happens next.
If your results indicate that Just For Us may be a good fit, you will have an opportunity to schedule a short meeting with the Just For Us team to learn more about the community, ask questions, and discuss program options and funding, where applicable.
Care Partner Support
If you authorize us to share results with your emergency contact or care partner, they may also receive relevant screening information.
If a care partner assists you with Support Coordinator communications, NJ DDD paperwork, healthcare information, or other important decisions, consider including them in your interview. They can help with questions, documentation, and next steps as you explore the Just For Us community.
Needing support does not take away from your independence. Knowing when and how to use the people who support you can be an important part of successful community participation.
What Happens After the Screening?
Your CRST™ results help guide the next step. Depending on your results, you may be invited to schedule a brief meeting with the Just For Us team, provided with information about areas that may benefit from additional support, or encouraged to complete the screening again at a later time.
The screening is one part of determining whether the community is a good fit. The meeting also gives you an opportunity to learn more about Just For Us, ask questions, review membership costs and available payment or funding options, and decide whether the community feels right for you.
Ready to Get Started?
Complete the brief Community Intake and CRST™ to explore whether the Just For Us community may be a good fit for you.
It takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete.
Start the Community Intake
Other Resources
Designed to empower and support neurodiverse adults in the digital age.
Confident Clicking: A Digital Guide for Neurodiverse Adults
Practical Steps to Reduce Risk and Build Online Awareness.
Confident Clicking is a practical, supportive guide designed specifically to help neurodiverse adults navigate the digital world with greater awareness, safety, and confidence.
- Understanding your digital footprint
- Recognizing online “red flags”
- Privacy settings and healthy boundaries
Confident Clicking Video Series
Confident Clicking on YouTube
Learn digital safety through engaging, accessible videos.
We are transitioning the Confident Clicking modules over to YouTube so everyone can access these practical digital awareness tools anytime, anywhere, at no cost!
- Step-by-Step Video Walkthroughs
- Real-Life Digital Scenarios & Tips
- Watch at Your Own Pace on Any Device
What People Are Saying
“I am a nurse and I shared this book with my co-worker who facilitates hiring of individuals that require accomodations. It is great resource”
“Quick read! Easy to understand”
“The short video at the beginning of each course section helps learners know what to expect. The mini quiz at the end reinforces learning.”
About Our Founder
Julie Maria is a Positive Behavior Support coach and New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) vendor. A cancer survivor, she understands the importance of resilience, encouragement, and supportive community. Her vision for Just For Us™ is rooted in both personal experience and professional commitment to helping people grow and thrive.
Julie is the founder of Just For Us™, a supportive community initiative developed through the I&O Wellness Center to encourage connection, personal growth, and belonging among neurodivergent adults.
She holds a Master's degree in Behavioral Science and brings experience in human resources, information systems, healthcare, and education. She also holds professional certifications in functional breathing, movement coaching, and nutrition, reflecting her belief that small lifestyle habits can significantly improve overall well-being.
Through Just For Us™, Julie works directly with individuals in the developmentally disabled community, helping participants build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and develop practical life skills in a structured and supportive environment. She also volunteers and provides educational talks within the neurodiverse community, at senior centers, and within churches.
In her current graduate studies in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Julie focuses on person-centered and related counseling theories that emphasize dignity, empathy, and the belief that every individual has the capacity for growth.