Support Groups for High Functioning Autism/Asperger Adults who are

For example I personally have tried in the past to organise an anime club and a science club for people in general, not just autism, and couldn't drum up enough interest in these activities. I'd happily run an anime club or science club for autistic adults, but if it was an interest based group why keep the non autistic people out? And if its not centred around one of my interests I'm not sure I'd find it that exciting I'd want to pour time and energy into it.

Autism groups are often run by parents who's focus is their kid with special needs. It's feels more like a necessity to them. The problems faced in their lives motivate them to help others with similar problems. The problems I've faced are neurotypicals excluding me from groups that used to be very autism friendly and have more than their fair share of autistic members which have since become unsafe spaces for autistic people where they can be pilloried for giving minor unintentional offence. That's what I'm passionate about. It's why I'm working on the areyoualien.uk project. But the kind of support we offer is specifically about standing up for yourself when you experience discrimination. We're not a social group or anything like that.

In my area I’ve found a service that claims to be for autistic adults of all levels of functioning but is almost exclusively used by low functioning autistic people and understandably has catered to this majority. When you look at the intersection of high functioning and adult there is almost no support in the community.

I think part of it is the assumption is made that high functioning autistic people could organise their own stuff if they wanted to. But high functioning autistic people tend to have really restricted interests and wouldn’t be too interested in putting effort into organising something that didn’t centre on one of those interests.

Yes I think MH services are very stretched at the moment - that is my experience. Althought I think they always have been stretched it's just the pandemic has exacerbated this. Have you had a look at non-autistic support groups in your area? Can your MH team direct you to some? (Mine recommended lots of community groups etc that I could have a go at accessing). I did a mindfulness course last year with my local adult education centre - it was free for people with mental health needs (basically anyone then). In my area things are not well publicised so until you go asking you don't know what's on offer.

I totally agree. To be honest we are barely ‘muddling through’ at the moment. It’s been really helpful for me to come on here - and it’s made me realise that the people who I can really relate to and talk to are other autistic people. I know it sounds stupid but I hadn’t really grasped this before - I thought I was just rubbish at making friends and I found socialising so stressful that I just withdrew from it. My youngest son got an autism diagnosis about 10 years ago when he was at secondary school - and that’s when I realised that I was autistic too - and things started to make sense.  My husband has lots of autistic traits, and my eldest son is autistic (although he managed to do brilliantly academically so is currently doing quite well in the conventional sense - despite having lots of challenges due to his autism). 
Our situation at the moment is that we have had a very difficult year and both my youngest son and I are just about managing to get through each day - but struggling so much. We are totally burnt out. There is so little help for us. My son gets an hour of CBT on the phone a week - that’s it. I’m on a ridiculously long waiting list for therapy for PTSD. None of this is helping. The best help I’ve had is from coming on here and talking to people who understand what it’s like. It’s been such a relief to realise that we’re not alone in that respect. 

I would be interested in this too - I'm in my mid 30's in the North West. I am "muddling through" life. It's peer support I'd like more than anything. Just to be able to talk with people who are in the same boat. Maybe we should set up our own peer support group.

I agree. Both my youngest son and I feel this. We are really struggling at the moment but I am not aware of any support we can access apart from NHS mental health services - for which there is a hugely long waiting list. So we can’t easily access them because of that. My husband and eldest son are wonderful but apart from that we are very isolated and we have very few family relatives (and those we have are not supportive or understanding). Life is really difficult for us the moment and I wish we could access more support. 

Autism Nottingham have a few virtual event a months for autistic individuals without intellectual disabilities. 

they often have Gather Town event every month from 7pm till 9pm and a google meets event from 7pm till 9pm. To find out more look at the Facebook page. Even though it set up by autism Nottingham it open to everyone across the uk. 

if you contact you local authority you may find out or help steer a social engagement project. I live in Norfolk and we have Norfolk autism partnership. You may want to look if their something similar in your area.

Mens sheds are great places, most of them have autistic members and the majority of the older folk are tolerant and kind. 

Yeah, would be good to connect with people and share things.  I was born in 1980 but never suspected i was autistic.  Im very good at slipping under the radar and not drawing attention to myself.....I suspect alot of people are like that until you just crash and burn. So many people out there just wandering around not even knowing that their struggles can be explained.  Unfornunately, like myself.....you think autism is the severe kind.

Would love to do a group with gaming, gardening or something along those lines

Thanks for this.  Sounds like we are finding a similar landscape.  

I'm considering starting something, if something doesn't already exist.  

I was born in 1981 when Asperger's was first brought to the attention of the psychological community, and I have a feeling that in the decades since then many, many people have been left behind.  It would be good to try and help those who are High Functioning and just functioning.

There are none in my area, all basically aimed for young kids and parental support.  This is great but...not so much for people who've slipped through the net and just get along.

Ever thought about setting up your own group?  Its something i might do in the future.