Support groups

They are supposed to exist - the realty may be a bit disappointing.

Where I lived until two years ago there was a NAS social group met once a fortnight. I never got round to it and anyway it was stopped because of lack of staff/funds.

From what I was told by someone who did go regularly it was very difficult to get any actual socialising, and those attending were mostly teens to early twenties, some with parents. There was also a young person's 'disco' night in a local club, which apparently was similarly underfrequented. Is that really what people on the spectrum want in terms of sensory loading?

In the same town I did join a parents group, paying as a professional member - there was no membership for people with autism. Normal membership was for parents. The only people there on the spectrum were dragged along by their parents, who socialised with other parents. I gather this situation is not uncommon. Where I am now there is some social provision within the NAS group, but I have found being involved is hard work - again it is really all about parents, not people on the spectrum.

You may find another way around this by looking for something with a broader membership which is autism friendly. Some churches provide social options which are amenable. Be careful though of evangelist groups that 'collect' people with disabilities, for appearances sake (look how 'good' we are), and may be neither understanding nor supportive.

Some towns have venues for fringe music, or community art, which also provide a cafe and seating. These places are much friendlier and I have noticed in the past that people on the spectrum use them, and therefore can use them to meet up.

I've also found certain activities attract people on the spectrum - independent railway enthusiasts for example - the activities around trains and infrastructure attracts people on the spectrum who benefit from friendships formned within that circle.

'Different' cultures are sometimes more autism friendly - goths, emos, gay etc

I think well intended efforts to create social spaces for people on the spectrum possibly lose impact because people on the spectrum often don't have enough in common and don't necessarily want to meet others like themselves (in spite of the alternative perspective that it might be easier to socialise with like others).

 If it worked maybe the social groups would attract numbers and be more widely available.

They are supposed to exist - the realty may be a bit disappointing.

Where I lived until two years ago there was a NAS social group met once a fortnight. I never got round to it and anyway it was stopped because of lack of staff/funds.

From what I was told by someone who did go regularly it was very difficult to get any actual socialising, and those attending were mostly teens to early twenties, some with parents. There was also a young person's 'disco' night in a local club, which apparently was similarly underfrequented. Is that really what people on the spectrum want in terms of sensory loading?

In the same town I did join a parents group, paying as a professional member - there was no membership for people with autism. Normal membership was for parents. The only people there on the spectrum were dragged along by their parents, who socialised with other parents. I gather this situation is not uncommon. Where I am now there is some social provision within the NAS group, but I have found being involved is hard work - again it is really all about parents, not people on the spectrum.

You may find another way around this by looking for something with a broader membership which is autism friendly. Some churches provide social options which are amenable. Be careful though of evangelist groups that 'collect' people with disabilities, for appearances sake (look how 'good' we are), and may be neither understanding nor supportive.

Some towns have venues for fringe music, or community art, which also provide a cafe and seating. These places are much friendlier and I have noticed in the past that people on the spectrum use them, and therefore can use them to meet up.

I've also found certain activities attract people on the spectrum - independent railway enthusiasts for example - the activities around trains and infrastructure attracts people on the spectrum who benefit from friendships formned within that circle.

'Different' cultures are sometimes more autism friendly - goths, emos, gay etc

I think well intended efforts to create social spaces for people on the spectrum possibly lose impact because people on the spectrum often don't have enough in common and don't necessarily want to meet others like themselves (in spite of the alternative perspective that it might be easier to socialise with like others).

 If it worked maybe the social groups would attract numbers and be more widely available.