Support group experiences

I live in a smaller city, but there don't seem to be any general peer support groups around as far as I know.

I’ve toyed with the thought of eventually trying to set something up (in person, or perhaps online), but the reality is that I’ve never actually attended one myself, and I don't know what to expect. I certainly don’t have the energy to take on anything like that at the moment, so this is purely an exploratory thought for the future.

My only real reference point is what I've seen depicted on TV (like the social groups in Astrid or Patience), and I suspect the reality is rather different.

I would love to hear from anyone who has experience attending, belonging to, or facilitating an autistic or neurodivergent group. What format actually worked well (or didn't)? What were the main benefits, and where were the friction points?

If anyone would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to reply here or via private message if preferred or more appropriate. I'd really appreciate your insights.

PS I may be slow to reply, but I will read everything and respond when capacity allows.

Parents
  • The only one I went to was the most autsim unfriendly space I've ever been too, it might as well have been in a train station or shopping centre, it was anything but calm and supportive the staff were all NT's from what I gathered, didn't listen, asked what I wanted help with and then said they couldn't do that, it felt like there was some kind of magic words I had to say that would unlock everything.

    I'd love one like Patience goes too, but I reckon thats a TV fantasy of what autism support should look like and not the reality

Reply
  • The only one I went to was the most autsim unfriendly space I've ever been too, it might as well have been in a train station or shopping centre, it was anything but calm and supportive the staff were all NT's from what I gathered, didn't listen, asked what I wanted help with and then said they couldn't do that, it felt like there was some kind of magic words I had to say that would unlock everything.

    I'd love one like Patience goes too, but I reckon thats a TV fantasy of what autism support should look like and not the reality

Children
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