Published on 12, July, 2020
I made a post almost a month ago about not having any friends. Since then, I have not made any friends in real life or online either.
I would like to now try and be more proactive in making friends but I find it very hard to navigate this community site plus I don’t receive notifications for some reason. Are there apps where I can make friends with other people with autism?
Also, is there any in-person or online groups events, activities or social skills clubs where I can meet adults with autism. I am 22 year old female and live in London when I am not at uni and I have asperger's syndrome or level 1 autism.
I would also like to add that I have no social media except WhatsApp and don’t know how to feel about using some social media apps. Thank you.
Jai
Hi Jai. Have you checked if there are any autism groups in your area on Meetup?
Hello,
I haven’t had an in-depth look but couldn’t really find anything in my local area. I don’t know where to start to be honest. I try and have another look online. Thanks.
Jai said: I don’t know where to start to be honest.
https://www.autism.org.uk/what-we-do/branches
Whilst I could feasibly imagine myself attending such a group I cannot ever see myself wanting to run one.
I suspect that running a group would be extremely challenging. It would be a rare autistic person who would have not only the energy but also the necessary social skills and executive functioning to take that on.
The practicalities trying to meet the needs of multiple autistic adults in the same space at the same time would be very difficult. So many different sensory requirements and communication differences for a start. I have heard it said on here that trying to organise a group of autists is like trying to herd cats
That’s a shame. That is not ideal at all.
Thanks for this. I looked but couldn’t find anything anywhere near where I live.
I encountered the same issue when I looked for a group near to me.
My nearest group for adults is around 60 miles away. The meetings take place in the evenings and I struggle with driving in the dark, due to the glare from headlights. There wasn't any suitable public transport to get me home either, so it would mean staying in a hotel.
I've just seen this but I should think it takes a lot of incentive to get one started:
Can't find a branch that's right for you? Why not start up your own? Please email branchservices@nas.org.uk for more information.