Autistic adult social group

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I'm in a couple of online groups, but nothing in person near me. My therapist is keeping her eyes and ears open but I'd love to do in person if we can find one.

If there was a group in my area I would certainly give it a try, in the hopes of meeting people on a similiar wavelength. However, I would also be a little apprehensive.

My in-person encounters with autistic people have been challenging. I helped with an autism event a few years ago and all the loud, strange noises made by the autistic kids was as every bit as overstimulating as being in a crowd of neurotypical adults - perhaps moreso. Inability to make eye contact unnerves me and I find high-pitched voices grating. (Ironically, I probably wouldn't notice either as much if I didn't have ASD.) Interrupting and socially inappropriate comments can trigger my strong second-hand embarrassment.

You are much less likely to encounter this particular problem in a group of autistic adults, who tend to be much quieter than kids.


To minimize social awkwardness, it might be best for you to attend structured events, such as board game nights and organized museum trips, rather than generic social events.

Alternatively, if a group holds text-based chats (e.g. via Discord) as well as in-person meetings, it might be best for you to get to know people via chat first before meeting them in-person.

Hopefully either or both of the above could help mitigate your issues with things like irregularities of eye contact.