Struggling to Keep Up with Friends as an Autistic Person

I’m in the same boat, I find it so hard to be social and I almost always cancel or come up with an excuse on why I can’t go. I hope you can find someone close to you that is willing to do something lowkey and low energy but still be able to spend time together 💕

You can also ask them to hang out 1 on 1 rather than in a group setting, or explain that you can spend time as a group but only for 30 minutes or so, hopefully reducing your recovery time. The parallel play idea is also a great one.

You are not a horrible friend! with connection, quality is better than quantity. If you only have a few meaningful hangouts a month, that is still awesome! You are doing the right thing by honouring your needs and listening to your body. Is it possible that the type of interactions and sensory experiences you are having is making things worse? Do you have measures in place to protect you during social time, like noise dampening earbuds, stim toys, and a place to go to breathe? Maybe express to your friends that you want to see them more, but you need a more low-key hangout, and prefer to do things like paralell play (alone together, tasks beside one another while not interacting). I also find low-sensory get togethers can be good, like pajama parties!

Sometimes you have to do what is best for you which is not being a bad friend or being selfish at all your energy is important