Mostly, I think finding the
right people has been the
key to my relationships.
Focus on those people who
let you be you and understand what you need and
what you are able to give
instead of struggling to get
along with people who want you to be someone
you’re not.
Jean “Stimey” Winegardner
Help your child find traits
in common with another
person and then use those
common traits as talking
points. That’s what I do!
For me, the easiest way to
make friends has always
been in the context of a
shared interest. Identify
some activities that your
child really enjoys doing
and then help them find
ways to do those things
with other children their age. For example, join
a Lego club, an afterschool science program, or
a ballet class. There they’ll meet kids who have
similar interests, which can create a natural basis
for social interaction within and outside of the
group. I also think it’s important to emphasize
quality over quantity, so if a child is comfortable
with just one or two good friends, don’t push
them to have more.
Cynthia Kim
Jay Fuentes, 13
Why Not Try This?
Below are a few resources to help get you started. If you can’t find a group for yourself or your child, think
about starting one! You have nothing to lose and a bunch of possible friends to gain!
• ASAN - Autistic Self Advocacy Network–With chapters across the US and international affiliates, this
organization’s goal is to build a collective concept of self-advocacy while also addressing individual forms
of self-advocacy and building a community of autistic adults in the local community. They also have a teen
mentoring program and many social activities.
• Autism Society of America–The Autism Society has 107 affiliates nationwide, sponsoring local programs
such as Safe and Sound, camps, respite care and social skills events. They also host a yearly conference,
which is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and learn new things.
• Autism MeetUp–With 521 groups and over 45,000 members in 322 cities across 16 different countries, this
is a great resource to find a possible support group in your local area.
• The Internet is also a place where you can find people who share your special interests. They might not live
near you, but you can still exchange ideas and discuss your favorite topics virtually. One popular forum for
people on the spectrum is Wrong Planet, and many others are out there.
Zoom Autism Through Many Lenses
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