Meet-up groups for ASD

[Emmz]

I'm considering setting up a Meet-Up group for local people with ASD. The reasons are: I'm single, not close to my family and seem to have the world's most flaky, unavailable friends. So I keep seeing events i'd like to attend (films, theatre, etc) but have nobody to go with, and it's depressing having to always do things on my own. My dog, although great company on walks, isn't interested in cultural events.

I'm very aware that I would be aiming the group at people who, by their very nature, aren't sociable. So my concern is that not enough people would support the group to make it worthwhile, and then that would get me down.

Anyone had any experience of anything like this?

 

[As sweet as-pie]

I'm part of a group for autistic girls and women currently, we don't have a great turn out but there's still consistently 5/6 of us that turn up every week. That's more of an organised thing though with actual funding. It was set up by an autistic woman though. I'm also aware of other groups who have casual meetups, I've always been too anxious to go though as they aren't very organised and I struggle with that kind of thing. They don't seem to be too successful although I suppose it depends on the area you're in and the age group/gender/activity. Good luck with it if you do decide to go ahead!

 

[Adora]

I live in a coastal area and I don’t think there isn’t any groups around me especially any that may be for women on the spectrum.

 

[kay]

I am in two ASD Meetups. One has maybe one event a year and I haven't attended because the group is 3 hours away. The other is closer but I am afraid the organizer may have already given up because no one showed for the first meeting ( I would have went but I had only been home from a long trip for one day).
Having once been involved in a large Meetup that was for other things I know that it takes a lot of time and energy to get to where there is any turnout at all. You might get 30 people to turn up, or just 5, or maybe none. Depends on so many things and you are trying to get less out and about types to show. Don't give up if it starts very, very slow. And if you are in an area that isn't very heavily populated you might consider expanding to include other groups of people who might have social and sensory issues; shy, introverted, social anxiety, ect... fibromyalgia? (seems that causes sensory problems and fatigue).
Anyhoo, goodluck! Hope some of that advice might be helpful. If you were to start an ASD Meetup in my city I would show up at something eventually. There is likely at least a few people around you that feel the same and will show up.

 

[SusanLR]

I live in a large metropolitan area, but, I think since it is in FLorida the majority of the population are either
part time or seniors.
My psychologist tried to get an AS group going and make me the moderator.
One person showed and never came back. Discouraged I'm sure that it was just myself and the psych.
We advertised with flyers in doctor's offices, Facebook and an online site called Meet Up where different groups list activities.
After a year, she finally took the sign down from her lobby.

This area has a large facility for group activities that are more focused on children on the spectrum.
The fibromyalgia group sounds like it might be good to check and see if there are any around.
I would give it a try to get a group together, you never know until you try.