Social Opportunities on the Autism Spectrum

As a person diagnosed with autism and living with my own autism 'fruit salad', I also had my own introduction to social challenges when being on the autism spectrum. I've also been a professional autism consultant since 1996, was one of the founders of Autism Network International, one of the founders of Auties.org, have run a writer's group, a choir, a band (all involving those on the autism spectrum) and, together with my husband Chris, hosted walking groups, dinner clubs and other social activities for adults on the autism spectrum. Autism is a 'fruit salad' and so there are a multitude of reasons why someone with autism will struggle with pursuing, initiating or attending social opportunities. Yet every one of those reasons is addressable and social opportunities are essential to helping people with autism develop and enjoy their lives. In this video I explore the obstacles to socialising, tips for overcoming those obstacles and the how-to of advocating for, seeking out, or setting up face to face social opportunities for people on the autism spectrum regardless of level of disabilities or geographical isolation.