Why do I find it difficult to make friends?

Many Autistic people can find social situations confusing or overwhelming, leading to difficulties with making and maintaining friendships. There are many different reasons why communicating and interacting with other people can be challenging, this depends on your particular Autism.

If you would prefer to read the transcript, please see below.

Transcript

Why do I find it difficult to make friends? That is a cry of very many autistic people across the world. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. It depends on your particular autism.

There are many possible reasons as to why making friends is so difficult. Here are just a few:

Do you often misunderstand what is said to you?

Or, do you have a strong dislike of change?

If so, you may have processing issues. Processing issues make it difficult to make friends, because you will not be able to pick up on important social cues, and you will be too literal in your understanding of what is said to you.

Are you a people pleaser? Do you try to meet the needs of others, in order to fit in? Do you always say yes out of fear of being rejected? This is how some autistic people think friendship should work, but it often leads to them being taken advantage of, or being in an unhealthy relationship, where someone else has all the control.

Temple Grandin thinks in pictures. This makes it difficult for her to relate to others, because hardly anyone else thinks in pictures.

If you think very differently to those around you, you will likely find it difficult to relate to others too.