Friendships are important to me. People assume that because i have autism or that i am quiet or to myself that i do not want interaction or frienships. However, this is not true.

There are many times in which i feel lonely because i feel left out or like i do not belong or fit in.

Getting to know me is important to me just as it may be important to you for someone to show interst in you.

Do not be afraid of me because i have autism. do not think of me as different from you. instead think of me as you would anyone else.

if i am sitting alone ask if you can sit with me. or ask me to sit with you.

be friendly with me say hello when you see me. do not stare at me ifi am doing something weird. but be understanding that i may not realize what i am doing that is weird to you. try to be understanding. read about autism. research to help you better understand me.

ask me about what i am interested in. try to talk about some of those things with me. i usually enjoy talking about my interests.

do not think because i tend to talk about me or my interests that i am self absorbed or that i only think about me. i just sometimes do not know how to ask you about yours or what to say or how to interact through making a conversation work. you can help me by talking about some of those things or relating it to some of the things i am interested in.

invite me to things. functions in the community. offer to buddy with me if i go. so i do not feel so overwhelmed or full of anxiety. some social events can make me feel uncomfortable or overwhelmed. but it does not mean that i do not want to ever be invited to something or to go anywhere. i just do not have someone i can trust to be with me or to help me in those situations when i feel this way.

if i turn down invitations or do not answer my phone please do not feel offended or if i do not want to continue the frienship. sometimes when i get too much interaction from my environments i like to be alone or be to myself for awhile. this helps me to feel better. once i feel like interacting again i will be back and i may answer my phone.

i also may not like to talk on the phone because talking on the phone can be confusing for me. i may like to text instead. please be understanding of this if you allow text messaging and do not feel offended if this is what i prefer.

if i do not give you eye contact that is because eye contact makes me feel uncomfortable. it is not that i am not intersted in you or what you are saying. i am also listening to you when i do not have eye contact with you. please do not try to force eye contact allow me to do it as i am comfortable. occassionaly i may make quick glances....or i may not look at all. just try to be understanding and do not take offense.

if you do not understand something about my autism ask me. it is better to ask things than to assume.