How to help lonely DS

[waxcandlestatue]

DS 22 is autistic, he lives at home with me and DH and is in a full time job, he’s a teacher. He doesn’t leave the house much apart from going for a walk or going shopping for clothes or food.

He doesn’t have any friends, it’s difficult because me and DH both work full time and with it being the Easter holidays there’s been days when he would have loved to have gone to visit places but he hasn’t got the confidence to go by himself.

Anyone got any advise, DS says some days he wishes he had some friends but other days he’s happy on his own company.

If he likes walking, could you gently encourage him to join a walking/hiking group? I think they are friendly without being too overwhelming so your DS could engage as much or as little as he felt comfortable with. Also how much does your son engage in technology, would he be willing to find a discord group of local people who take part in similar interests?

Just noticed that I have spelt advice wrong. Apologies!

Look on Facebook for local groups for support for people with autism/parents and see if they have any meet ups. Also look for local interest groups for his hobbies in the home - even if just online it's still nice to connect with people over shared interests.

Just let him be. He's probably quite content.

Just because you like having friends and doing stuff doesn't mean he does.

He's just a different type of person so just let him get on with things and stop interfering or giving unsolicited advice.

I can imagine the conversation pushing him to get out the house etc and him saying he has no one to go with as a good valid excuse to not to have to go out and now he's being bothered about having no friends as a consequence.

I’d suggest joining some local group, possibly linked to a hobby he has.

even if friendships don’t blossom it will be a form of social interaction outside family and work.

I appreciate the posters saying join a group but it's not that simple.

OP I'd suggest you join FB groups who enjoy activities your DS enjoys and check them out just to see how they "roll".

Some "walking groups" are full on hiking and gaming groups can be clique driven etc. So it's hit and miss.

My advice is to test the water and also explore online any groups for non NT people - in my semi rural area there are a few for late teens/early twenties and there seems to be a very positive reclamation of being "different" and "thinking" differently which is lovely to witness.