Difficulty making friends

Post Reply New Topic

As a 31 year old female with autism. I still struggle with making friends in person. I'm looking to meet some friends online that have the same problem as a I do.

I'll say this for the 1st time ever: Welcome to WP!

I don't know where you are if this is an option for you or if it has any appeal to you but have you thought of joining a support group? I joined one where I am at the beginning of this year that meets a couple times/month and also does other social and cultural events around the city other weeks of the month. I didn't at first think it was gonna lead anywhere b/c the kind of best friend material I'm looking for at least I think may not exist in the ASD community. At least not here. BUT 5 months in it's starting to pay off and I'm actually making some friends in the group and even extending that to FB and exchanging phone numbers and such. I don't care for the fact that the people who come are overwhelmingly male (more than the 4-1 diagnosed gender ratio) but that's how it is for now and the women who do come are among those I'm making friends with and seem to have some common interests w/me which makes me happy.

Anyway that's my experience and suggestion for starters. This site may also be a good place for you to make friends too. Good luck!

Yes I have difficulty making friends too

Expectations not met

Unjustified power imbalance

Peer pressure

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Discussion thread in the 'In-Depth Adult Life Discussion' Forum' might offer encouragement to develop friendships.

Discussion thread (LINK) "Regions Where HFA Awareness Is "Ahead Of The Curve."

LINK: viewtopic.php?t=376752

Partial excerpt from discussion thread: Any experiences with High Functioning Autism (HFA) friendships with NTs (NTs who are receptive to further understanding HFA)?

From my own personal experiences, the potential of such friendships offers encouragement regarding HFA.

Anybody familiar with HFA awareness/experiences in parts of the SF Bay Area, the Portland OR, and Seattle Regions? The Boston Region? Can these regions provide examples of successful HFA/NT integration?

[END EXCERPT]

Parts of the SF Bay Area, the Portland OR, Seattle WA, and the Boston Region appear "ahead of the curve" on HFA awareness. Much can be learned from these regions "ahead of the curve" on HFA - regardless of whether or not you live in these regions!

Welcome, we are happy to have you but the best you can do is learn to be your own best friend.

If you would like to make friends here on Wrong Planet, I would suggest that you:

1) Include your approximate geographic location in your profile.

2) Post in one or more of the "Topical discussion" areas of WP about topics that interest you, other than just autism. (Of course, it's fine to post about your experience of autism too.)