Successful HFA friendships with understanding NTs??

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^ Very good points, i might have sounded too pessimistic while writing my initial post.

Any consideration for incorporating activities such as participation in the arts programs i,e., painting, drawing, sculpture? How about specialty food events e.g., festivals? Outings, travel (even to destinations requiring not too much in the way of travel distance)?

There must be many potential activities in the NYC Region.

It can be said, this is the heart of why NTs experienced with HFA (or HFAs experienced with NT environs) must be "in the loop" to coordinate activities which seem daunting to HFAs; that is it takes those thoughtful people to nudge us into trying new (yet not necessarily unfamiliar) activities.

From my own personal experiences, I feel encouraged by activities that present something concrete, affordable (that is cost alone ca be discouraging), and I navigate activities better with familiar people participating.

Have you investigated www.meetup.com for ideas?

Here in NYC, a local group called Aspies for Social Success already does various social activities, occasionally including some of the kinds of things you mentioned above, in addition to its support groups. There are no NTs involved in running that particular group, which has been around for at least 6 or 7 years if I'm not mistaken.

To reassess the original purpose of this thread.

It can also be helpful to reevaluate the awesome people we currently know. Who are the people who would be present during difficult times?

Any consideration for scheduling a visit to Boston to attend an AANE conference to boost HFA awareness, discuss experiences? AANE seems to take the time to evaluate personal experiences.

I have a chance to discuss my experiences (including posting here on WP, and mentioning AANE) with the ARC Center in San Francisco. The ARC Center in SF mainly focuses on clientele with developmental disabilities more limiting than HFA; yet they host meetings of the HFA resource www.AASCEND.org .

I'm three and a half hours drive from the SF Bay Area, and I'm considering travel to SF esp. if the ARC Center and AASCEND are receptive of learning best-practices on HFA from the AANE in Boston. As said, CA state resources mainly go towards supporting developmental disabilities more limiting than HFA; hence even in the SF Bay Area, HFA resources are spotty in scope.

I have an awesome friendship with an NT. She is actually 5 years younger than me (I'm 19) but we're on a similar emotional/mental level so it works out. I find that younger NTs are easier to befriend and relate to, since my emotional development is behind my peers. Anyways, she has been around me enough to not take offense if I accidentally say something rude or act weirdly.

Also, I find it easier to make friends if someone introduces me first. I became friends with this girl because my younger sister was friends with her first, so we inevitably ended up hanging out together.