Community & Connection

"The first time I met other autistic people, I finally understood what connection could feel like. We didn't have to translate ourselves." — Autistic adult

The Value of Community

• Validation: Others understand your experience
• Strategies: What actually works for autistic minds
• Belonging: You're not alone
• Identity: Positive autistic identity

What the Community Has Learned

On special interests: They're not restrictions—they're passions that provide regulation and joy.

On masking: It's exhausting and leads to burnout. Finding safe spaces is crucial.

On self-understanding: Late diagnosis is common. Understanding yourself changes everything.

Finding Your People

Online:

• Reddit: r/autism, r/AutismInWomen, r/AutisticAdults
• Discord servers
• #ActuallyAutistic on social media

In-person: Local autism societies, interest-based meetups—your hobbies can lead you to your people.

What to look for: Neurodiversity-affirming, run by/with autistic people.

The Importance of Autistic Voices

"Nothing about us without us" — autistic people should lead autism conversations. We're the experts on what autism actually feels like.

Diverse Community

The autistic community includes all support needs levels, all genders, all backgrounds, speaking and non-speaking, early and late diagnosed. Autistic people don't all agree on everything—this is normal.

Community connection often brings everything together—understanding yourself, finding strategies, building the life you want.