Social isolation is a major detriment to an individual's mental health, thus social interaction and community involvement are paramount to a person's quality of life. This is especially true for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who face various obstacles in maintaining or forming new friendships as they transition to adulthood. Beyond the natural weakening of childhood friendships due to less frequent contact and greater responsibilities, adults with ASD are more prone to experiencing social isolation, as many are unable to drive or don't have access to transportation. In fact, young adults with ASD are at greater risk of social isolation than other special needs groups, according to the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2.
Face-to-face interaction with others, especially those who have shared interests, is especially important for adults with ASD, as it helps them develop a sense of belonging and feel as though they're a part of a community. This is why organizations like Waypoint Adult Services in Maine and the Family Services Association of Bucks County (FSABC) in Philadelphia offer community-based social support programs for adults with ASD. At Waypoint, case managers help people with ASD and other disabilities become more involved in their community through volunteer programs, coordinated activities, exercise classes, and life skills workshops.
FSABC, meanwhile, operates the Coffee House Center, which organizes various activities and discussion groups for people with ASD. The majority of adults with ASD face social interaction challenges such as beginning conversations and seeing things from the perspectives of others, but these structured social skills groups can help them improve their communication skills and make them feel more comfortable speaking with "like-minded" people. A 2019 study, commissioned by the National Autistic Society, found that adults with ASD preferred to interact with others who had ASD and would often share more personal information with people to whom they could relate.
The New Horizons Club, another Philadelphia-based organization, has also had success in delivering social programming to people with ASD. The social support group prioritizes community integration, organizing various social activities and encouraging volunteer involvement through partnership with other nonprofits. Each of the aforementioned programs stress acceptance, physical and emotional safety, and mentorship, all of which help adults with ASD feel valued, secure, and confident enough to engage in social activities.
These social skills programs not only help adults with ASD feel a sense of belonging and improve their self-esteem, but can also help alleviate stress and provide them with the confidence and skills to take on jobs with greater responsibility.
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders analyzed the effectiveness of a Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) designed for young adults with ASD. Twenty-two people from the ages of 18 and 24, with ASD and "significant difficulties in social situations," participated in the 16-week study, which involved group classes focused on peer conflict and rejection, dating etiquette, beginning and ending conversations, and appropriate use of humor. Half of the participants learned in group settings and the other half received one-on-one guidance from caregivers or their parents. Those who took part in the group sessions experienced greater improvement in social interaction skills and a substantial decrease in autism symptoms compared to the other group.
