Five Ways to Make Friends as an Adult on the Spectrum

Making friends can be hard for a lot of people. But if you have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it can feel even more challenging. Below are some tips to help you build friendships with people who boost your happiness, are there for you when you need them, and, most importantly, make you feel valued and appreciated.

Start Slow

It takes time and effort to establish friendships, so be patient with yourself and others during the process. Remember, you don’t have to learn everything about a potential friend all at once. Instead, reach out to them regularly and make plans to get together. Over time, you’ll get to know each other better.

Manage Your Anxiety

If you struggle with social situations, you’re not alone. Many other people find them intimidating as well. To reduce your anxiety, try role-playing different scenarios with a trusted family member or a therapist. Also, set realistic expectations. Understand that some interactions with people will go well, others will not. If someone isn’t interested in a friendship, that’s okay. Per OpenDoorsTherapy, you can move on and connect with someone else who likes you just as you are.

Strike Up a Conversation

If you meet someone at school, work or even the library, ask them open-ended questions. For example, you could ask them what TV shows or movies they like. You could also ask them what they did over the weekend. Being a good listener and asking follow-up questions will make the other person feel understood and appreciated. Plus, you’ll get to know more about them.

Join Groups and Clubs

It’s easier to be friends with someone who shares similar interests and hobbies, so consider joining groups and activities with other like-minded people. If you enjoy reading, you could look for a local book club. Or if you like to dress up, you could attend a cosplay convention. You could also look for volunteering opportunities in your community. And if you don’t feel comfortable meeting people in person, you can connect with them online. To find a list of events and groups in your area, check out Meetup.

Be Yourself

One of the other most important things you can do is be true to yourself. Being authentic makes it easier for other people to relate to you. Plus, when you embrace your own unique interests and quirks, it makes other people more comfortable doing the same. So go ahead and let your personality shine through!

Last, don’t be discouraged by setbacks. It’s a normal part of the process. The key is to maintain a positive attitude and to keep looking for new opportunities to build healthy, fulfilling friendships.