anbuend wrote:
Having friends who are autistic, and being in a support group, are different though.
I don't tend to get along in support groups, not least because I find giving and receiving that kind of so-called "support" from strangers to be both pointless and questionable in the ethical department.
I do like to hang out with other autistic people sometimes, and I don't like the common concept that if we hang out with people like ourselves then it's a support group or some kind of therapy. It's just friendship.
What I like about support groups is that they tend to have speakers that come in who are familiar with autism. The one I went to is primarily run by aspies and their parents, and I believe that they pick the speakers they want to come. We're not run by treatment professionals and others who are trying to cure ASDs. I like to listen to the speakers and some of the advice they give.
The thing is that I generally do not do good in one-to-one therapy sessions. I've been there, and they usually don't work unless I am seriously depressed. For me, these sorts of occasions end up to be not much more than a debate between what I feel is right and what the therapist feel is not right. This is probably because I think so rigidly and refuse to change many of my concepts, and I also like to listen and read. I like to gain information. If it's about problems I face, then I like to gain information on what leads to such problems and what I could do to overcome it. It may be hard to overcome it regardless, but at least I know of how to do it if there is a problem that arises.
As far as friendship goes, sure ... Maybe I shouldn't rightfully call that a support group. But, a support group is nonetheless a place where you can meet other people with an ASD, PPD, whatever.
- Ray M -
16 May 2006, 8:51 pm
