Have you guys ever been to a autism therapy group?

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By my surprise, there is a something called "Neurodivergent Empowerment Circle" in my area. I've been thinking about going to one since I felt like an alien at my job especially after getting written up.

From my research there has been mixed opinions about these sessions on various forums. But I am curious to hear other peoples' experiences on here.

I have been to autism social clubs and that sort of thing, not group therapy though it's just to hang out. My experience is generally positive but it depends on the vibe or the clientele. Some groups have more severe autists or are aimed at families and I don't really gel with them. But the groups that are a bit more varied or attract milder presentations are great fun. I recently started volunteering for a local organisation helping to run the craft club. When I'm involved with those clubs it always ends up branching out into meeting people in other contexts. They're a good springboard. Because I'll get on with someone and then they introduce me to someone else from outside the club etc. In my early 20s I started hanging out in a gaming cafe type place and had a semi decent local social life, and it's all because of someone I met at an autism and aspergers club. But then I fell off for a while and sheer boredom brought me back a few months ago and I'm already seeing the branching out benefits.

The name "neurodivergent empowerment circle" sounds a bit cringe to me. It sounds potentially a bit identity politics-focused and arty farty. Not my cuppa.

I love the arts, maybe arty farty isn't the word. I think "twee" is more the word I'm looking for.

Yeah I think cheesy fits too. Is it a self governing kind of group (made by neurodivergents for neurodivergents) or does it have staff and volunteers who may or may not be mostly NT? A self governing group makes up for cheesiness if so.
The social club I'm a client and volunteer of is ran by a charity. They sometimes bring in volunteers who are students from the nearby university, typically medical students who are required to put volunteering hours in as part of their course. They tend not to stay long and they usually look a bit out of their element. They're complete outsiders and I've never enjoyed their presence. I feel like a zoo animal and they're studying me and it creates a weird dynamic that wouldn't exist between us in any other context. I am really creeped out by the idea of them thinking themselves virtuous for talking to me and my peers. I spoke to the head of volunteering about that and he agrees and promised to keep their input to a minimum (he doesn't like them either! Says they're unreliable lol.)
That's always the downside of autism clubs, outsiders working for them creating uncomfortable dynamics. But they don't make up the entirey of the team though, and the clubs are largely self governing.