Ways you can make new friends as someone with an intellectual disability

Making friends can be difficult for anyone, whether you have an intellectual disability or not.
You may not know where to start, or what to do. But don’t worry, we are here to help! In this blog post, we will discuss some ways that you can meet new people and make friends. We will also talk about the importance of making friends and how it can benefit your life.

An intellectual disability is a condition that can affect a person’s ability to think, learn and communicate. Intellectual disabilities are usually diagnosed in childhood but can sometimes not be diagnosed until later in life.

People with intellectual disabilities can have difficulty making friends. This can be for a number of reasons, including social anxiety or a lack of understanding about how to make friends. According to a study by the National Autism Society, only 19% of adults with autism have close friends. This statistic highlights how challenging it can be for people to form friendships.

There are several ways that people with intellectual disability can meet new people and make friends. One way is to join a club or organisation that is related to your interests.
For example, if you like art, you could join an art class or visit an art gallery. If you like sports, you could join a local sports team. Another way to meet new people is to volunteer in your community. This is a great way to give back and make new friends at the same time.

Making friends is important for everyone! According to the National Autism Society, people with autism who have close friends are more likely to be employed, have better mental health and lead happier lives.

Want some more information on meeting new friends as someone with Autism? There are many blogs out there, here is one that we like called Making friends – A guide for autistic adults.  

Be sure to check out our other blogs we have some about living with an intellectual disability. We cover a range of topics, including education, employment and mental health.

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