Autism and Friendship: Why Social Opportunities Matter

Most people benefit from having friendships, and research shows that autistic individuals often describe friendship as important to their well-being — even though building and maintaining those connections can be harder (Mazurek, 2014; Sedgewick et al., 2022). Differences in communication styles, unspoken social rules, or limited opportunities can make it feel like climbing a mountain without a map.

Why Friendship is So Important

Friendships aren’t just “nice to have” — they play a vital role in:

• Building self-confidence

• Reducing loneliness and anxiety

• Practicing social skills in a safe space

• Creating a sense of belonging

Breaking Down Barriers

For autistic individuals, traditional social settings can feel intimidating or unwelcoming. That’s why intentional, inclusive opportunities are so valuable. Events like our Speed Social show just how powerful it is to provide structured, low-pressure ways to connect.

The Impact We See

One of the most beautiful parts of these gatherings is watching new connections bloom in real time. For some, these opportunities spark confidence. For others, they lead to lasting friendships — like the young adult at our recent Speed Social who walked away not just with a smile, but with a new movie buddy.

💙 Stories like these remind us that when we create spaces for friendship, we’re not just filling calendars — we’re filling hearts.

References:

Mazurek, M. O. (2014). Loneliness, friendship, and well-being in adults with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 18(3), 223–232. [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1362361312474121]

Sedgewick, F., Hill, V., Pellicano, E., & Crane, L. (2022). Autistic friendship: A scoping review of the qualitative literature. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9(1), 31–49.