Common advice is to build connection with other ND people. How?

Little grumble here, but a lot of people say I should try to find more neurodiverse people so socialise with, but how do I do this? It's nice chatting in online communities but it's not the same as real life connections. A social group of likeminded people would be amazing, but there's nothing where I live, it's all aimed at children or adults with learning disabilities. I would love to meet other late diagnosed, highly masking adults who can help each other to unmask. Something simple like a coffee or summer meet ups in parks, but nothing. There's such a gap in the 'market' or whatever you'd call it. Shame really, because a common question for many people who are trying to unmask seems to be, where can I meet likeminded people?

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  • I know who neurodiverse people are, I just mean I want to meet some in real life as I'm surrounded by neurotypical people. I feel very misunderstood and always having to mask is tiring.

  • Just for info :)

    This is slightly ironic - being pedantic is a common autistic trait and one that annoys a lot of NTs (I have had my fair share of pushbacks from this very trait) so is a good example of one not to use in a social environment if you can prevent yourself.

    I'm not having a go at Bunny but wanted to use this as a teaching moment on a thread about building connections as it is something to avoid as it makes you seem slightly hostile in the social group.

    I guess it will involve masking to stop yourself from being authentic and correcting others and this is not always easy to do.

    All that said, the point is entirely correct.