RE: Waiting to hear from the Support Group

I've contacted a local autism group and got a message saying they will respond within 5 days as it's run by volunteers and in the event of no reply, to contact this person.

That was 3 weeks ago and I ended up contacting that named person only to be told that they no longer work for the Branches department of the National Autistic Society.  All branches are run by volunteers not staff, most branches take approximately 7 – 10 days to respond to emails. If you haven’t heard back from the branch volunteers by the end of this week, can you get back to me and I’ll pass your enquiry onto a member of the Branches department.

I am now in my 3rd week of waiting to hear from someone, I am not belittling the volunteers in any way what so ever but surely when someone reaches out to a support group, they shouldn't be left waiting for over 3 weeks for someone to get in touch.

Is this the norm for most folks or am I just unlucky?

  • I met an autistic young man in my last church.  He told me he was . Then I mistakenly shared my new diagnosis with him saying I am not planning to tell anyone else about this at the moment. I should've said please don't tell anyone because he then told everyone!

    But yes, I really would like to know if I'd do any better at making friends if I had autistic people to meet with. 

    But as I say there's no groups here atall. 

    Yes it would help to leave the house first Blush. I do wonder when I can eventually retire will I shut myself away for the first year. Feels like bliss to think of this. Just seeing safe family members. Lovely Blush

  • I feel the same way. I have never knowingly met another autistic person. Statistically, at 66 years old, I must have met many in my life. I'm so socially clueless I'd have to be told another person is autistic, if ever I were to meet one in the future.

    Also, I supppose it help to leave the house to met people, autistic or otherwise. Slight smile

  • I don't have any group near me unfortunately. I have been searching. I really could do with other autistic adults to meet with. 

  • I don't know about volunteer ones, but mine took ages to enrol me, but it was worth it.