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
  • I tried autistic groups but I found them reallyyyy boring.. I go to different groups now. The autism groups were all online and just plain boring. All about video games. I don't even play video games. Plus one the staff said I wasn't normal too. Laughed back at it lol. People keep telling me to play video games. I don't like video games! It's like people see an autistic guy and think " give him video games" annoys me. 

Reply
  • I tried autistic groups but I found them reallyyyy boring.. I go to different groups now. The autism groups were all online and just plain boring. All about video games. I don't even play video games. Plus one the staff said I wasn't normal too. Laughed back at it lol. People keep telling me to play video games. I don't like video games! It's like people see an autistic guy and think " give him video games" annoys me. 

Children