New introductions discussion or a whole area?

Hi all,

We're having to close our current introductions discussion as it's length is causing issues with our current server set up. Without the resources to improve this we have two choices -

Either we start a new discussion, so one place where everyone introduces themselves

or

We add a new section for introductions seperate from general discussions, where new users can start individual discussions to say hi.

I'd be happy with either choice but I'd rather have your feedback then decide on our own.

So feel free to reply here - new discussion or a whole new area for introductions?

  • Hello NAS84893,

    It's great that you want to learn about autism before you meet the 8 year old girl. The NAS website has many guides on how to handle various issues related to children. Here is an example: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/family-life-and-relationships/making-friends/parents-and-carers

    If you type 'children' in the search box, you will find more articles.

    We wish you good luck and a lovely day with the girl,

    Karin Mod

  • Hi, I hope someone reads this today/tonight. I am a new caregiver to an 8 year old girl with autism and I’m looking for advice on how to make it a smooth introduction and transition. I meet her Tuesday at 5pm pacific time.

    I know her parents will fill me in, but I’d like to be prepared to make a safe and likable impression on her. She’s a patient that I really hope to keep long term. What if she hates me? New things are hard for everybody but a disruption in her normal routine really has me at a disadvantage. Any tips?

  • Yeah, I think it's likely we'll go in that direction. Just after launch it was nice to have a single place for introductions but I think exploring an area to do this may help bring things together as we move forward.

    However, still time to let us know what you think, we'll probably look at a change early next week - so let us know what you think if you haven't had the chance yet :)

  • The second option sounds like what most other forums use i.e. an area where people start their own individual intro section seperate from others.

  • Another autism forum I'm on has a whole section called 'Meet & Greet' which is really nice as it enables established members to reply and make a new member feel welcomed into the group.

  • Hi,

    I think from a practical point of view it would be better to have a whole new area/section devoted to introductions because wont we just have this problem again in another few months when the new discussion thread becomes too long again. Or am I totaly miss understaning this problem as computers are not my strong point, as some of you will have noticed.

    and from a personal point of view,  some times its nice just to say hi, how are you? when you dont have any one topic to post about to that person. Could we do that in that sort of section? You know click on there intro discussion and say hi how are you today even if its ages after we have first said hi. Do you have any idea what im trying to say! lol!!

    However would like to say that if you do go with this option PLEASE put a really easy guide to how to post the thread because we may lose people that have never been on a forum before.

    As a side note to this, I think its FAB that we are having this problem and that so many people are using the forum to make this a necessary thing to sort out. 

    Sam

    x