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?

Parents Reply
  • Fair enough - have you tried searching for local autism groups local to you?  I've not but am tempted when I can get my butt of the settee!  In my case I have a once a week 'phone call with a ND friend of 40 years plus.  (not that they consider themselves autistic!)  one chance a week for both of us to be offensive and know that neither of us mean it! 

Children
  • I tend to go "all in" to things myself and I guess the risk of starting one up oneself is the potential commitment?  Things often seem to do best if they develop organically - I've been chatting on this forum a lot for the past couple of weeks myself on all sorts of stuff.  I suggested to my wife earlier on today that it's not something I remember doing much with "random" (no offence intended!) people when I was younger.  I figure it's never to late to start!  All the best :-)

  • Yeah there's nothing near me, just for children and people with learning disabilities. Love it when you have friends who you can be genuine with. I have one like that but she lives further away so we don't see each other often.