Where Do You Want Autism Funding To Go?

More support would be nice. At the moment there's more less none, especially for autistic adults. Talking therapies would be especially good I think as it's something many of us would benefit from.

I would love for there to be lessons in being social as well and mastering interacting. This would benefit many of us.

Annmarie97 said:

I would love for there to be lessons in being social as well and mastering interacting. This would benefit many of us.

You suggest this, but lessons will not be beneficial if they encourage masking as this is detrimental to the health of our autistic community.

Alternatively such groups could be used to discuss and encourage different ways of communicating and socialising so that our autistic way of being is validated whilst also being helpful for non autistic peers.

We have our own autistic socialising style including but not limited to: info dumping, parallel play/sharing space, stimming to communicate, naturally preferring in depth discussions over small talk, honest and direct communication, emphasis on content of our words as opposed to facial expressions….

We don’t need to be taught ‘social skills’!

If you would like to explore this further you may want to read information on the Double Empathy Problem.

Annmarie97 said:

I would love for there to be lessons in being social as well and mastering interacting. This would benefit many of us.

You suggest this, but lessons will not be beneficial if they encourage masking as this is detrimental to the health of our autistic community.

Alternatively such groups could be used to discuss and encourage different ways of communicating and socialising so that our autistic way of being is validated whilst also being helpful for non autistic peers.

We have our own autistic socialising style including but not limited to: info dumping, parallel play/sharing space, stimming to communicate, naturally preferring in depth discussions over small talk, honest and direct communication, emphasis on content of our words as opposed to facial expressions….

We don’t need to be taught ‘social skills’!

If you would like to explore this further you may want to read information on the Double Empathy Problem.

Annmarie97 said:

I don't know if it would be possible but I live in hope that one day it will be achievable. I want to be social and interact but I do mask and in the past it's made me very ill.

Yes, that’s why autistic communities like this one are so important! If you would like to join another online autistic community, I have recently set up my own called Autopia.

Link below:

autopia.freeforums.net/.../general-discussion

Ausomely Autistic said:

Alternatively such groups could be used to discuss and encourage different ways of communicating and socialising so that our autistic way of being is validated whilst also being helpful for non autistic peers.

Absolutely!!! :) 

Agreed, masking is not the answer or the right approach with this. We need help with being social and interacting in our own way without the need of masking. I don't know if it would be possible but I live in hope that one day it will be achievable. I want to be social and interact but I do mask and in the past it's made me very ill.