HOME > PATIENTS & SUPPORTERS > AUTISM INFORMATION > MEETING OTHERS ON THE SPECTRUM
 Autism Information

Meeting Others On the Spectrum

Content Outline

• What is this topic about?

• Autistic Culture

• Meeing autistic people in person

• Meeting autistic people online or learning about the self-advocacy movement online

• Finding autistic people you like

• Reflections from autistic people

• Summary

• Links and Resources

This topic: print email download as pdf      

What is this topic about?

This topic is about Autistic culture, and how to find other people on the autism spectrum both in person and on the Internet. Meeting other people who are like you can be rewarding.

Back to Top

Autistic Culture

Culture brings people together to share everything from common beliefs and principles, to goals, identity, customs, and arts, to literature, history, shared experiences and communal achievements. Most people end up sharing their family's culture. For example, children of Latinx parents often adopt a Latinx culture. This is not always the case, though. Individuals from heterosexual families can adopt an LGBTQ+ culture; Deaf people from hearing families can adopt the culture of the Deaf Community, and autistic individuals from non-autistic families can adopt an Autistic culture. For cultures that are not always passed through family lines, culture and information are passed from established members to newer members in a cycle that continues to build on and create tradition. Examples of Autistic cultural events include Autreat, Autistic Pride Day, Autism Acceptance Day, and Autistics Speaking Day.

There is an Autistic community that many Autistic people enjoy being a part of. The Autistic community is similar to the Deaf community though it is much newer (the Deaf community has been around since the 1800s) and more often considers autism to be a disability. Like other minority communities, the Autistic community has its own support systems, leaders, values, social spaces, traditional events, and organizations. There is much to gain by meeting and befriending other autistic people. Interacting with autistic people can positively impact an autistic person's social life and well being. We have much to learn from each other and our individual experiences.

The Autistic community generally champions neurodiversity, including appropriate services and support1.

Back to Top

Meeing autistic people in person

If you are interested in in-person social gatherings, advocacy groups, and support groups, here are some ideas for finding groups in your area:

  • Check Meetup.com for local autism-focused groups in your area. Some groups will likely be for parents of autistic children, but others may be for autistic teens and/or adults. If your area has groups for teens and adults, you might find advocacy-focused groups, social groups such as gaming groups, or support groups.

  • If you are a student, check out the student-run groups at your university to see if they have any established chapters for autistic students. If not, you might consider if you have the time to start a group at your university.

  • Check out your favorite autism or disability rights organizations to see if they have chapters in your area. For example, you could check with Autism Society of America (ASA), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), or ADAPT.

  • Do an Internet search for groups with your city or town name included. For example, google "adult autistic social group Portland".

Groups may have different goals and areas of focus. When you come across a group that interests you, find out about their mission and goals to see if it fits what you're looking for. You might need to try a few groups before you find one that fits your needs.

If you're interested in self-advocacy, look for an advocacy-focused group where you can get involved with other autistic people who are interested in changing legislation (laws) that affects autistic people. Advocacy groups also educate the public about autism and work to combat fear, pity, and negative stereotypes.

Back to Top

Meeting autistic people online or learning about the self-advocacy movement online

If you're interested in meeting other autistic people, but you feel more comfortable doing it online, there are many Listserves, forums, and web sites that you can visit. To find local groups and Listserves, go to Google Groups and browse for autism-focused groups in your city or state.

The sites below can help you get started. They will have links and resources that might be of interest to you:


Back to Top

Finding autistic people you like

It's important to remember that autistic people are as unique, varied, and shaped by personal life experiences as anyone else in the world.

If you run across an autistic person who does not treat you well (either online or in person), try not to take it personally. Just like everyone else, autistic people vary in personality and interests. Keep on looking and exploring, and eventually you'll probably find an autistic person who shares some of your interests and views.

Back to Top

Reflections from autistic people

"I recently met a lot of autistic people at an advocacy group I attended last night. For the first time in my life, I felt like I could be myself and that people would understand me and not judge me for being autistic. I was in good company!" ~ Ernie

"Autistic people should reach out to each other for friendship and support. You never know who you will meet that you might end up having a lot in common with." ~ Alice

"I've been around autistic people all of my life. But I did not realize that I was autistic too until I was diagnosed in adulthood (shortly after my son received a diagnosis). I had always known there was something different about me, as I always felt that I was from another planet. I had joined an autism-focused Listserv shortly before my diagnosis. And that is where I met one of my friends. Like me, she is autistic. Over the years we have had many deep conversations about autism and about being autistic, from what it was like growing up to defining ourselves in the here and now. It brings happy tears to my eyes to admit that it is my autistic friend who helped me to find myself and who helped me to explore and understand myself, my needs, and my relationship to the world." ~ Jemma

"Autistic people ROCK!" ~ Kramer

Back to Top

Summary

  • Autistic culture has common beliefs, goals, customs, arts, literature, history, and community achievements.

  • Some ways to meet autistic people in person are through meetup.com, through student-run groups, and through autism or disability rights organizations.

  • There are many web sites, Listserves, and forums for meeting autistic people online, or for learning more about the self-advocacy movement.

  • Many autistic people enjoy meeting others like them and participating in Autistic culture. Just like any people though, not everyone will get along. When you do find people you do get along with it can be rewarding.


Back to Top

Links and Resources

General Autism Groups


Disability Rights and Advocacy Focused Groups


Other Information and Resources


Back to Top


HOME • ABOUT • SITE MAP • PARTNERS • CONTACT

References

1Kapp, S. K., Gillespie-Lynch, K., Sherman, L. E., & Hutman, T. (2012, April 30). Deficit, Difference, or Both? Autism and Neurodiversity. Developmental Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0028353