Special Connections is a collaboration between Stephanie Mitelman (M.A. Sexologist) and Matthew Selvin (Special Needs Consultant/Behaviourist) with the goals of finding compatible matches and friends, facilitating initial interactions, and creating connections between neurodiverse young adults (18+) to enrich their lives and provide them with more opportunities to meet new people.

We recognized that there is a major need within this population for support in getting young adults to better understand what they are seeking in a connection, and in providing an outlet which helps participants more easily find appropriate partners to spend time with.

Participants complete an initial intake form and we use the information provided to facilitate suitable connections. The major difference is that we are there to offer support and guidance every step of the way.

Participants have found us online at specialconnections.ca, on Facebook, and at our live networking events such as our professional Chef night, Valentine’s Day Party, Picnic in the Park, or our Halloween Costume Party.

We have also had many parents reach out to us regarding our program for their children and it has been really rewarding to provide parents with a resource which allows them to help their adult children find companionship and new connections in their lives.

Special Connections is unique because there are not many resources in the Montreal Community for people with disabilities and various needs to help folks make new connections. We work to seek appropriate matches for people, do check-ins, and send invitations to events and other opportunities. It is FREE to become a member, and just requires completing an intake form online (see sign up button). We may contact participants for an interview so we can get to know our members and their needs better!

Everyone deserves to have connection in their life. Our focus is to make this accessible to all.