Navigating the Spectrum: The Art of Autistic Teen Friendships

For autistic teens aged 8-12 years old, making friends can be a challenging and daunting task. However, with the right guidance and support, it is possible to build meaningful and lasting friendships.

Here are some pieces of advice that can assist autistic teens in finding friends:

1. Identify common interests: One of the best ways to make friends is to find people who share similar interests. Encourage your child to explore their hobbies and passions and look for opportunities to connect with others who share those interests. This could involve joining a club or team, attending events and activities, or even starting a conversation about a shared interest with someone they'd like to be friends with.

2. Practice social skills: Social skills are essential for building and maintaining friendships. Encourage your child to practice social skills such as making eye contact, listening actively, and taking turns in conversation. Role-playing and practicing social scenarios at home can also be helpful.

3. Be yourself: It's important for autistic teens to be true to themselves and not try to be someone they're not in order to fit in. Encourage your child to embrace their unique qualities and interests and to be proud of who they are.

4. Seek out support: Finding friends can be challenging, but it's important for autistic teens to know that they're not alone. Seek out support from a therapist, counselor, or autism advocacy organization to help your child build social skills and connect with others.

5. Use technology: Technology can be a great tool for connecting with others, especially for autistic teens who may feel more comfortable communicating online. Encourage your child to use social media or online forums to connect with others who share their interests.

6. Practice empathy: Empathy is an important skill for building and maintaining friendships. Encourage your child to practice empathy by putting themselves in others' shoes and considering how their actions and words might affect others.

7. Be patient: Building friendships takes time and effort, and it's important for autistic teens to be patient and persistent in their efforts. Encourage your child to keep trying and not to give up if they don't find friends right away.

In conclusion, making friends can be a challenging task for autistic teens aged 8-12 years old, but with the right guidance and support, it is possible to build meaningful and lasting friendships. Encourage your child to identify common interests, practice social skills, be themselves, seek out support, use technology, practice empathy, and be patient in their efforts to find friends. With time and effort, your child can build positive and fulfilling relationships with others.

Dr Valarie Whiting