Autism Support Group Experiences

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Just wondering for anyone that participated in a support group for being on the spectrum, how did thing go and feel and so on.

My first time was interesting, interesting in a way it could see a flavour of the spectrum is. I felt, compared to the people there, it seemed I was bang in the middle of the spectrum. Some very mild, and certantly some much more so. It seemed to me, I can relate to all of them in some way. How anxious, how talkative or not or even similar interests.

Also it was the first in a while I felt unfortunately overwhelmed and near meltdown with the unavoidable background noise, heat, light and talking too much I had to resort to self harm to distract my sences. I was in two minds to leave, but was fortunate I had the permission to take a care worker there. I'm also honoured that Gwydion and Rhoslyn helped calm my nerves the best way they do.

Would go again, as of now more prepared to what to expect.

used to attend what was called the communication club,ran by the company who owned the last residential home of mine.
the club was for LFAs and also for parents of significantly autistic children [adult or child],we had parents come sometimes who had aspie teens and they complained because the support being offered didnt quite fit their childs experience.

as common with LFA,we didnt interact and that wasnt the point of this support group, we did art and played with sensory equipment and it was a very fun experience.
the club had a bit of a problem though- although it was aimed at specific criteria and didnt require anyone to be recieving support by the company,every one of us who went all knew each other from the residential centre,so they struggled to get in people and had to cancel often, plus it was pretty weird because most of the attendees were kids and teens-we were allowed to mix there but at our residential centre [which is split into youngsters and adults] we werent allowed to come into contact with each other.

there was always our autism and speech and language therapist there,doing training for the parents on SALT and autism and challenging behavior.

woud not go again though if they still run it because was kicked out of the centre and transfered here because of extreme challenging behavior last year and feel a lot of hate to them for them turning away when they were most needed.