Autism and Friendships: Create Opportunities to Make Friends

When you want something in life, the best solution is to go out often just and get it. No one is going to give it to you, so you need to learn how to take it for yourself. Developing a new attitude toward social skill and autism is key if you want to learn how to make and maintain friendships throughout life. Finding new opportunities to make friends and grow your skills can be much easier when you have a social support network to help you achieve your goals. A lifelong friendship and autism do not have to be elusive. You can do it, and All Friends Network wants to provide you with the resources, support, and opportunities to make it happen for yourself.

Online and In-Person Safety Tips

A lot of friendships begin online. With so many people getting out into the world via their computers, it is easy to see why apps and website memberships are often the best opportunities to make friends. At All Friends Network, we have a free online membership for individuals with cerebral palsy, autism, and other developmental disabilities. We offer web-based resources, real-life gathering options, and interactive social app support through our Live-LINK app, exclusively for our members. It is a safe and effective way to work on expanding your abilities with regard to social skill and autism.

Studies show that more than 40 percent of Americans utilize the internet to meet new friends and search for romantic partners. Thanks to a growing list of social media sites and special interest groups, it is easier than ever to just turn on a computer and find new opportunities to make friends. Unfortunately, not all of these websites, apps, and programs are created equally. People with autism and other developmental disabilities can be extremely vulnerable online due to their inherent challenges with understanding others and building relationships. This is why it is so important to find a social support network that has safety features to protect its members from potential harm.

Some of the best safety tips for communicating online include:

• Utilize a secure network where all members are vetted and verified before communicating online.
• Do not provide any personal information about yourself, including last name, address, or any details about where you work or live.
• Do not post your contact information, including your email address and phone number, to an open social media page.
• Use privacy settings and other protective features on your computer to protect your data.
• Only meet someone in real life in a public place and do not go anywhere alone.
• Make all of your own plans, including transportation, and pay for it yourself.
• If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, stop the conversation online or leave when in person.

Improve Communication Skills

While it might sound intimidating, as long as you know the safety rules for communicating online and stick with safe social support network options and secure opportunities to make friends, you will be okay. The internet can be a great way to learn new social skills, practice skills with new people, and overcome the boundaries of friendship and autism. It can also be a great way to identify what it is that you want in a friend, what you want to avoid, and learn how to establish boundaries in a way that protects you while opening yourself up to new experiences. Making and maintaining friendships can be a juggling act filled with pros, cons, excitement, and concerns for anyone regardless of their abilities or disabilities. You are not alone.

Consider joining All Friends Network, where we have a wide range of resources, programs, and opportunities to bring new ideas for social skill and autism to light. From planned social events, including pizza nights, movie nights, mini-golf outings, and local museum or aquarium tours, to life skills enhancement programs, such as seminars, training videos, and one-on-one support, you can find it all at our online support program. You can reach out to our team by calling 941-587-7172 or using our online contact form to send a message to one of our friendly agents. We can answer any questions you might have about how All Friends Network supports building friendship and autism when you contact our team directly.