Can't find like minded people you connect with ?

Here’s the thing that annoys me. This isn’t just something that’s a ‘I would like to do this.’ Meeting up with people regularly with a shared interest is literally medically recommended for autistic people.

NICE guidelines cg142 say

1.4.5 For adults with autism without a learning disability or with a mild to moderate learning disability, who are socially isolated or have restricted social contact, consider:

• a group-based structured leisure activity programme
• an individually delivered structured leisure activity programme for people who find group-based activities difficult.

1.4.6 A structured leisure activity programme should typically include:

• a focus on the interests and abilities of the participant(s)
• regular meetings for a valued leisure activity
• for group-based programmes, a facilitator with a broad understanding of autism to help integrate the participants
• the provision of structure and support.

these group based structured leisure activity programs with “a focus on the interests and abilities of the participant(s)” that’s Basically a special interest club. (Eg your local branch of the Harry Potter fan club) I don’t see what else it could be.

and since there are as many special interests as grains of sand on the shore (so it seems). Your local council can’t just run one and ask all the autistic people to go to it. It needs to be interest specific. Which means autistic people going to clubs run mostly by and for non autistic people.

but as far as I can see the powers that be are keen to do nothing at all in the direction of making sure autistic adults have access to that kind of group.

as far as I can see this guideline isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on because no one is willing to do what it takes to make it workable 

I think it's a lot to ask of local authorities to run hundreds of special interest groups for everybody with autism, Peter.  There are already hundreds of special interest groups running in every town and every city, organised by both ordinary and extraordinary people. It's up to us to go and find/join them.

And let's be frank, if these groups were run by the council, they'd have to be open to all sorts of weirdos and not-rights. Just because someone is autistic, it doesn't mean I'd want to spend time in their company. They'd be no better than day centres... and I can't think of anything worse than being trapped making finger puppets with a bunch of low-achievers all jabbering on about the latest reality TV show.

It's much healthier to go out and find real-life groups that interest you and that have a diverse membership. Not artificial groups.

Dear aidie

Please cease and desist from trolling my comments simply to vote them down. It's beginning to feel like harassment.  It's not spiritually good for you, nor will you find in your Buddhist teachings that personal animus towards other beings is considered a skillful action. 

I'm sorry this is happening. Outright bullying has happened from that person to a few other friends that I've seen & they've left. It's really sad. I've also seen them write "kill" the voices in their head....only to edit/remove that wording later. I think it's a problem, but people are afraid of saying anything--for fear that they become the bully.

The only reason, I can think the moderators haven't done anything about it, is there's a certain amount of "strikes" someone can have & there's nothing stopping them from making multiple/new accounts. I too have been trolled, but I ignore it. Plastic

There is also another user, Charles (aidie's probably got a fake account)  who seems to follow me around and downvote my comments. Never makes a comment...mysteriously.

The person spends half their day editing and deleting previous posts to re-arrange history - I've pointed it out a couple of times - the behaviour is unbelievably narcissistic - even the naming of threads after themselves - it's pathetic - I'm getting concerned about every single lie and manipulation.

I'm really not keen on people with ulterior motives preying on the vulnerable.

They can attack me as much as they like - their petty, child-like spite is obvious for everyone to see,.

But it's all being noted and time-stamped - it's always why I always QFT this person - they keep changing their attacks.

It seems you were right about her tactics, man. The Cult of Aidie. 

There is something very wrong with following someone around a forum and downvoting every comment they make. It's called trolling. Some may call it bullying. 

There's nothing wrong with people disagreeing with comments anyone makes. We are all different people who each have unique experiences which shape our views.

She's removed her downvotes from my comments on this thread, Plastic. I don't know which is worse. Downvoting me or retracting them after being called out. 

Whenever I make a comment, I see a downvote and click on it, and it's from aidie. She never replies to my comments, she just downvotes whatever I say. It's beginning to feel like she's trolling me.

By the way, she's removed her downvotes from my comments on this thread. So, perhaps, she's seen the error of her ways.

Some people attack by constantly down-voting comments - it's almost invisible but obvious if you know it's going on.       Just more evidence of the hypocrisy.

I don't see anyone trolling you EggFriedRice. 

True.

I'd much rather look for the good in people - there are some really interesting people on here -  but there are some where their hypocrisy stinks the place up.    Sorry.

I believe it's more important to look for the best in one another and the things that unite us rather than pick arguments over the way people express themselves or the things we say we don't agree with. 

I find your comments quite refreshing! Some can be a little 'direct' and 'blunt' but I appreciate the fact that not everyone has learned to be diplomatic or calculated in their views. I have a feeling this is part of your autism and as such I would be shocked to learn that anyone on here was targeting you for that.

I encountered a similar situation a couple of days ago with an older (un-diagnosed) woman lambasting a foreign 18-year-old man with autism for some comments he made about coronavirus. I felt compelled to intervene in that instance.

I found your post about a world without humans extremely interesting and thought-provoking.  Please don't be afraid to speak your truth. No matter how unpolished or unpopular it is. 

It's more important to look for the best in one another and the things that unite us rather than pick arguments over the way people express themselves or the things we say we don't agree with. 

I find your comments quite refreshing! Some can be a little 'direct' and 'blunt' but I appreciate the fact that not everyone has learned to be diplomatic or calculated in their views. I have a feeling this is part of your autism and as such I would be shocked to learn that anyone on here was targeting you for that.

I encountered a similar situation a couple of days ago with an older (un-diagnosed) woman lambasting a foreign 18-year-old man with autism for some comments he made about coronavirus. I felt compelled to intervene in that instance.

I found your post about a world without humans extremely interesting and thought-provoking.  Please don't be afraid to speak your truth. No matter how unpolished or unpopular it is. 

It's more important to look for the best in one another and the things that unite us rather than pick arguments over the way people express themselves or the things we say we don't agree with. 

There is also another user, Charles (aidie's probably got a fake account)  who seems to follow me around and downvote my comments. Never makes a comment...mysteriously.