In this Reframing Autism article, ARCAP Research Fellows, Dr Chris Edwards and Abigail Love, outline the difference between relational and collective loneliness, the importance of Autistic identity and community, some of potential the barriers to building social connections for Autistic people and what we can do to reduce the impact of loneliness. #loneliness #AutismResearch
Many parents of Autistic children really want their children to make friends and are concerned that they will be lonely or feel like they don’t belong. But there are many myths and misconceptions about how Autistic children (and adults) connect with others socially and how loneliness, friendship and belonging might be interconnected. In our latest resource, Dr. Chris Edwards and Dr. Abbey Love from the Aspect - Autism Spectrum Australia Research Centre for Autism Practice (ARCAP), explore how our understanding of loneliness, friendship and belonging for Autistic people has changed over time – including what recent research is finding out about it. Chris and Abbey’s article explores the difference between relational and collective loneliness, the importance of Autistic identity and community, some of potential the barriers to building social connections for Autistic people and what we can do to reduce the impact of loneliness. Check the article out on our website at https://lnkd.in/g-KTAc3B #Loneliness #Belonging #AutisticNeeds #Neuroaffirming #ActuallyAutistic #AutismResearch #AutisticIdentity #ARCAP [ID: Against a purple background with the Reframing Autism logo at the top left and knotwork logo at the bottom left, white text reads: "It’s important to remember that the number of friendships is less important than the quality of those relationships. Autistic people often thrive in close, meaningful relationships rather than large social circles."]