Are Autistic People Bad Friends? A Controversial Topic Handled With Compassion

Written By Caroline Smith
Are Autistic People Bad Friends? A Controversial Topic Handled With Compassion
Caroline Smith

“Autism isn’t an excuse for being a bad friend.” I’ve heard this sentiment both in real life and floating around various internet spaces recently. And while I don’t think it’s completely false (depending on the level of autism we’re talking about), I despise this argument for one primary reason: it lacks the depth, compassion, and nuance that I think a sensitive topic like this deserves.

The autism experience comes with so many mental and external hurdles that must be navigated: bullies, social exclusion, rejection sensitive dysphoria, loneliness, and more. And I think writing those valid struggles off as “excuses for being a bad friend / partner” is too simplified. There’s much more to the story that should be considered.

Join me as I discuss what it means to be a good or bad friend, why autistic and allistic people struggle so much to understand one another, and how autistic individuals (with low support needs) can learn to become better friends without abandoning their own needs and interests. I’ll also explain how my upcoming live group program, Conversation to Companion, can help adults with social difficulties including ASD Level 1 build their social and relationship skills to make friends and build healthy social lives.

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Transcript

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Caroline Smith

Caroline, the founder of The Introverted Misfit, is an autistic social confidence coach and a community organizer who helps people build social confidence and find where they belong without having to change who they are.

https://theintrovertedmisfit.com/about
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You’re Surviving, Not Thriving: Life With Social Anxiety