I have been on a long journey socially. When I started being more interested in having friends there was not a spelling community here. I thought having neurotypical friends was the only option, but those friendships upset me. With Amplifying Potential Therapy opened for a year, I now have many open spellers as friends and life is more fun and meaningful.

One thing that I am learning about myself is that I take social situations too seriously. I always thought the way to be a good friend was to have serious and deep conversations that were intellectual or emotional. I have many friends who show they care about me in other ways, such as humor, and I am learning from them about how to be a friend in other ways. I am trying to build friendships with everyone and be myself while also being the friend they need me to be.

I am realizing I have a lot more fun when I don’t fixate on my regulation and what I think other people should be doing. I put so much pressure on myself to look controlled that I can ruin my own time. I feel strongly about autistic people having the autonomy to be who they are and I want to embrace friendships with all types of people.