@A MyAutismTeam Member: I would categorize my son as "HFA" as well. We take him to all of the regular play places--Chick-Fil-A, Sky Zone (indoor trampoline place), public parks, the YMCA pool, Children's museum, etc.. We try to encourage him to play with other children, but we are nearby to help if he gets too rough, etc. A few times we've had to explain to other kids/parents that he is autistic and doesn't know how to ask to play (he often just jumps into the middle of a group without invitation) or that he is playing some game in his head (because he's saying unusual stuff that might put the other kids off). As much as we can, we encourage him to play with neurotypical kids, but sometimes we also let him play with his autistic friends. A "We Rock the Spectrum" gym has opened about an hour from us and we are thinking of taking him there to check it out.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

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A MyAutis...

I don't use functioning labels for a variety of reasons, but regardless of the unique skills and support needs an Autistic individual possesses, social groups that are specifically for Autistic people tend to be a good option, because many Autistic people communicate/socialize in similar manners to each other (our social skills aren't absent or malfunctioning, just atypical, which is why we often relate better to other Autistics than to neurotypicals). It's best if the social group is run by Autistic people and isn't used as a form of "treatment," because many Autistics have negative experiences in social groups that are run by non-Autistics and used to "improve" our social skills by making us act like neurotypicals.

I looked at your story, and you don't appear to live in a state that has a local chapter of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), but the chapters have recently been told to break off and form independent organizations, so contacting ASAN to see if they know of any local social groups for Autistics might still be a worthwhile endeavor. Good luck!

Oh wow HaliieMiddlebrooks, I didn't know that Ill have to check into that. Thanks!

Pokemon Go! has opened up some new social realms for our high functioning ASD son.

Thank you Cynthia, I appreciate your comments. What age group attends "We Rock the Spectrum" gym sounds awesome!