Do any of you not bother going to autism groups? I used to in the past but I haven't had tons of progress making friends.

[Amethystgirl]

I only made one friend in Asperger group years and I would like more friends but I don't go groups because making friends is too complicated for me. I even tried making friends in Special Olympics but I didn't fit in.

 

[Judge]

The only known autism groups for adults I know of locally involves a typical $30-40 charge per session. That alone turns my stomach, making it unrealistic for me to progress socially under such circum$tances. Making me feel more like someone's prey.

Same reason I have never considered visiting a prostitute. A charge for "a service rendered" and little else when it comes to the human heart.

Friendship and love should not have a price tag associated with it.

 

[the_tortoise]

No, because I don't fit in, either -- and it doesn't matter who the group is comprised of (meaning autistic va non-autistic) I don't do well in groups; There is too much to follow.

Plus everyone is always "higher functioning" than I am (in terms of independence, in terms of life responsibilities, in terms of speech and processing speed) and so it's just like everywhere else where I struggle to be understood, to understand, to find common ground, to participate and connect.

 

[vergil96]

I have met a lot of diagnosed autistic people IRL and I don't have a reason to believe that I would fit in. I don't have common interests or life experiences with them. It would be nice in theory to feel a sense of validation, but I'm not going to find the validation in experiences that I don't share.

and it doesn't matter who the group is comprised of (meaning autistic va non-autistic) I don't do well in groups; There is too much to follow.

Me too. Groups are also inherently tiring for me. The sensation of noise and people walking around - it drains me.

 

[Tired]

Same reason I have never considered visiting a prostitute. A charge for "a service rendered" and little else when it comes to the human heart.

All the prostitutes want in their heart is to not be in their position, that's for sure.

 

[Dagan]

I remember being in middle school and getting scolded because I was breaking the chain for "Hands Across America." I didn't want to touch sweaty, gross hands with anyone, haha.

 

[SusanLR]

No, because I don't fit in, either -- and it doesn't matter who the group is comprised of (meaning autistic va non-autistic) I don't do well in groups; There is too much to follow.

Plus everyone is always "higher functioning" than I am (in terms of independence, in terms of life responsibilities, in terms of speech and processing speed) and so it's just like everywhere else where I struggle to be understood, to understand, to find common ground, to participate and connect.

No. For all the same reasons. I just don't fit in with groups.

 

[Shamar]

I only made one friend in Asperger group years and I would like more friends but I don't go groups because making friends is too complicated for me. I even tried making friends in Special Olympics but I didn't fit in.

There are no autism groups anywhere near me that I have been able to find. Almost everything seems to be for children.

 

[AprilR]

There are no autism groups anywhere near me that I have been able to find. Almost everything seems to be for children.

Same, everything is for children and parents

 

[Matthias]

The only known autism groups for adults I know of locally involves a typical $30-40 charge per session. That alone turns my stomach, making it unrealistic for me to progress socially under such circum$tances. Making me feel more like someone's prey.

Same reason I have never considered visiting a prostitute. A charge for "a service rendered" and little else when it comes to the human heart.

Friendship and love should not have a price tag associated with it.

You're not paying for friendship or love. You're paying for the cost to rent a room to meet and the wages for workers to arrange everything, run the group, and cleanup afterward. Do you expect people to work for free?

 

[Judge]

You're not paying for friendship or love. You're paying for the cost to rent a room to meet and the wages for workers to arrange everything, run the group, and cleanup afterward. Do you expect people to work for free?

You speak the obvious. However in doing so you miss my point entirely. Why must there be a "middle-man" over basic socialization itself?

I'm not interested in any clinical or medical analysis, let alone a third-party to charge for it. When the process becomes just another commodity at the outset. To me that reflects no more social value than going to a club with a steep cover charge. Or seeking the services of a prostitute.

If I want a medical analysis of my ability or inability to socialize, it might as well be in a clinic or hospital paid for through Medicare. Otherwise for me personally to have to pay for companionship is where I ethically draw a line is unacceptable. I am not a piece of meat to be bought or sold.

Though equally I will not condemn those who are willing to pay a price. That this has to be an individual choice, and not a collective one. For me friendship is about real value. Not one carrying just another price tag. Even given that most forms of entertainment in society shamelessly charge a price. I already know that.

For me, friendship and fellowship are given or earned. Not bought or sold.

This is my personal viewpoint, whether or not any other person agrees with me or not. I make no concessions or apologies for it.

 

[Matthias]

You speak the obvious. However in doing so you miss my point entirely. Why must there be a "middle-man" over basic socialization itself?

I'm not interested in any clinical or medical analysis, let alone a third-party to charge for it. When the process becomes just another commodity at the outset. To me that reflects no more social value than going to a club with a steep cover charge. Or seeking the services of a prostitute.

If I want a medical analysis of my ability or inability to socialize, it might as well be in a clinic or hospital paid for through Medicare. Otherwise for me personally to have to pay for companionship is where I ethically draw a line is unacceptable. I am not a piece of meat to be bought or sold.

Though equally I will not condemn those who are willing to pay a price. That this has to be an individual choice, and not a collective one. For me friendship is about real value. Not one carrying just another price tag. Even given that most forms of entertainment in society shamelessly charge a price. I already know that.

For me, friendship and fellowship are given or earned. Not bought or sold.

This is my personal viewpoint, whether or not any other person agrees with me or not. I make no concessions or apologies for it.

If you have a friend group where you can spend time together in public or at each other's homes, that's great. But many people need to pay to go somewhere to socialize. I don't see how paying for an autism meetup is any different than paying to socialize at a bar, nightclub, bowling alley, or comedy show. For those who can't socialize without support, I'm sure these groups are really helpful.

 

[Judge]

I'm sure these groups are really helpful.

They may well be.

But I'd rather socialize without that price tag. Like I said, this is about my values and no others. I choose to march to the beat of a different drum. After all, we aren't lemmings.

 

[Shevek]

I'd never heard of an autism group meeting in person. How large a city would I need to withstand to have the option?

 

[Amethystgirl]

I'm not sure how large of a city. But you could look up Asperger or autism on meetup.com However, when I went to a virtual autism group I didn't enjoy it at all.