Can you be autistic and have friends?

Autistic people overwhelmingly report that they want friends. And they have shown that they can and do form friendships with both neurotypical and autistic peers, even if their interactions sometimes look different from those among neurotypical people.

What are characteristics of high functioning autism?

Like all people on the autism spectrum, people who are high functioning have a hard time with social interaction and communication. They don’t naturally read social cues and might find it difficult to make friends. They can get so stressed by a social situation that they shut down.

Is there such a thing as high functioning autism?

High functioning autism – not “low” enough to warrant a “retarded” label (remember, I was in school in the 90’s when mental retardation was the appropriate label), but not high enough to be considered “normal”. They were just weird. There was a time when autism wasn’t autism. It was a psychosis.

Can autistic people be friends with other people?

And they have shown that they can and do form friendships with both neurotypical and autistic peers, even if their interactions sometimes look different from those among neurotypical people. This reframed view of friendship aims to acknowledge and encourage a better understanding of the social lives of autistic people.

What is autism spectrum disorder or ASD?

Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability that causes social, behavioral and communication challenges. Autism affects approximately one in every fifty-nine children in the United States.

Why is it so hard to make friends with people with HFA?

Social awkwardness can be a significant obstacle to making friends, finding work, and dating for some people with HFA. Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders often go hand in hand with HFA. People with HFA are more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder than the general population. 3