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Incouraging friendships for autistic teenager.

NAS81852

Hello, I have a 15 year old girl who has recently been diagnosed with autism. We are really struggling with friendships for her. She doesn't have any friends in our area or at school and I have run out of ideas in ways to help her with this. She is feeling very isolated and lonely. She is very high functioning and desperately wants to interact with her peers but finds the initial conversation or approaching new people to hard. If anyone has any ideas or ways they have encouraged this that would be great. Thanks in advance. 

Parents

  • Joining a club can be hugely beneficial IF it’s a club centred on an activity or subject around which she’s very enthusiastic.

    what are your daughters hobbies / interests?

  • in reply to Peter

    This is what we are struggling with. She loves whales and will talk about them for hours. She enjoys art and I have taken her to some art classes but she won't interact with other people when I'm there and she won't stay on her own. 

  • in reply to NAS81852

    Classes are sub optimal. It's not really set up for socialisation. Especially considering most autistic people are not social learners (learning isn't really a social process for them. they're too busy concentrating on the subject to find the energy to interact) I don't suppose there is some sort of amateur marine biology club in your area? Or maybe instead of art lessons than say an art criticism / appreciation club?

    Don't get stuck in the trap of thinking it has to be some group set up for teens. Autistic kids generally don't have age appropriate special interests, looking for something that fits their interests and is aimed at teens is going to be too narrow to actually exist.

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  • in reply to NAS81852

    Classes are sub optimal. It's not really set up for socialisation. Especially considering most autistic people are not social learners (learning isn't really a social process for them. they're too busy concentrating on the subject to find the energy to interact) I don't suppose there is some sort of amateur marine biology club in your area? Or maybe instead of art lessons than say an art criticism / appreciation club?

    Don't get stuck in the trap of thinking it has to be some group set up for teens. Autistic kids generally don't have age appropriate special interests, looking for something that fits their interests and is aimed at teens is going to be too narrow to actually exist.

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