I'm considering going to an AS group.

Post Reply New Topic

I think desperation has driven me to seek out people.

I recently looked to see if there were anything like an Asperger's support group in my town. Most of what I found was Autism support for kids and families. But then I actually did find one that was specifically for adults with Asperger's. Right in my town. Hmmm... should I go?

I consider a few deciding factors. First of all, I've not been diagnosed with AS. I'm positive I have it, but I feel like it'd be kind of weird being around others who have been formally diagnosed, and then I'm like, "well, I think I have it" and so on.

I have no idea what to expect. Are the folks there more seriously afflicted than I? Probably. Even so, what would they do at these meetings? Sit around and discuss AS? Listen to monologues about individual obsessions? Would I become so paralyzed by anxiety that I panic and have to leave?

What I am after is some personal experiences from you all. If you've been or are currently going to an AS group or something like that, please share what you know. What is it like? How does it make you feel? What are some insights that you've gained because of it? Whatever you can think of. It would be a big help to me.

Thanks so much.

Thinking of going to an AS support group that's on the other side of the city...actually in a nearby suburb. think i got it off meetup.com. I'd go if for nothing else than to say 'hi'. I'm also sure many there will be okay with those w/o an 'official' diagnosis if WP is any barometer (e.g. people getting diagnosed in their 30s,40. 50s, 60s etc). the support group might have some like that.

After years of being social isolated and depressed I looked for an Aspie group for young adults and found one and going to the first meeting I felt the same way - I am undiagnosed as well and thought I would not be accepted. But I found that I fit in quite well, these guys are great. We do lots of fun things together and talk about some interesting things. Nobody judges anybody. And what makes it even better is that anyone who wants to can join, as long as they are accepting of people with autism (there are some NTs in the group). So I will say that it is definitely worth trying out!! !

Acacia, I've felt the same way. I met a couple members of an AS support group a month ago at a public social outing, but none of us said all that much, so I didn't get a feel for many of them.

Maybe some month I will work up the courage to go.

Thanks for the responses so far. You guys have been helpful in relating your experiences.
I think I've decided. I am going to the next group meeting, which is this weekend. I think it's finally time that I accept who I am and try and get with some other people who will hopefully understand me. Anything is an improvement over my current situation.

If anyone else would like to share their thoughts on this topic, please feel free. I'm looking for as much information as possible.

thanks!

That's great. Hopefully it'll be a good experience.
I've been to an Aspergers group a couple of times and to be honest, it was a little bit strange. The people there were nice but the fact that I was surrounded by people who I still didn't fit in with made me not want to go back. It wasn't their fault. I just can't seem to find people that I can relate to even if they have the same diagnosis as me. I hope that your experience at the group is different.

I found a support group for adult males with AS in my area. It's facilitated by a social worker. I had to go and meet with the facilitator one on one before I was allowed to go to one of the meetings. He asked me about my experiences with AS and what I was hoping to get out of attending the group. The group has been meeting for about 6 years now I think he said.

I've been to two meetings so far. The members I've seen so far have a range of functionality levels. There are some lower functioning members and some higher. I'd say I'm on the higher end since I have a job, car, my own place, ect. But it's not hard to relate to each other even if some face more challenges than others. Everyone has similar issues, just to varying degrees.

The facilitator kinda runs the show. He'll ask if anyone has something going on in their life that they would like to share, and off the discussion goes. If nobody has something to share, he usually has a few discussion topics to get things started. He politely interrupts if one of the members gets going too long about their special interest and kills the discussion for the other members.

My main goal in going is to improve my friend making skills and possibly meet a friend or two. What I've found so far is a bit of a changed perspective. There is always someone who has things rougher than you. Being able to understand where someone is coming from and offer some advice feels good. I still hope that I can meet someone there that I can become friends with, but even if that doesn't happen, I think some good will come out of attending.