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two friends learning to knit and the word friends

Friends are two people who enjoy being with each other.

They trust and like each other. 

They share and help each other.

Friendships improve our lives.

 

Yet some people do not find it easy to make friends.

woman with intellectual disability with her arm around a female friend standing outside in grass

Who are your friends?

Who are your trusted friends and newer friends? Who are people that you talk to but are not your friends?

Think about who you trust. Think about who you enjoy. Think about who in your life you don't know well enough to trust or enjoy yet.

Click on the blue button for a handout to help you know who the people are in your life.

People in My Life

The two main things that help us make friends are:

  1. chances to meet others, and
  2. being able to connect and get to know them.

The more chances a person has to meet others the better the chance that a friendship may start.

Tips to work on making friends:

  • Think about activities you like to do that include other people.
  • Practice good hygiene and dress to fit the activity.
  • Be brave and talk to new people. Practice ‘Get to know you’ questions.
  • Find someone who you enjoy talking to.
  • Ask the other person if they agree to meet or talk again.This is consent.
  • Plan when you will talk again.
  • You don’t have to share all the same interests.But it is nice to share some interests.
  • Friends are kind to each other.Talk and work it out if you disagree on something.
  • Build trust in each other with time. If you promise to do something, do it.
  • Ask the people you trust if they think a new person seems to be a good friend for you.
  • A good friendship should make both people feel happy.

"Get to know you" questions:

  • Have you ever had a nickname? Did you like it?
  • What’s your favorite meal to eat? Who cooks it for you?
  • What type of music do you like?
  • Did you grow up here or in another town or state?
  • Do you have any pets?
  • Is there a holiday that you really enjoy?
  • What’s your favorite TV show?
  • Do you collect anything?
  • What sports do you like?

Finding friends - Ways to make friends:

  1. Join a club or community group.
  2. Attend a community event.
  3. Volunteer.
  4. Enroll in a workshop or class.
  5. Reconnect with old friends.
  6. Try something new.
  7. Say hello to someone new at work or school.

 

From: 8 Ways to Make Friends When You Have a Disability

Video

Making Friends When you Have a Learning Disability- The National Center for Learning Disabilities

Resources


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The Friendship Project

The Friendship Project from West Perth, Australia hosts videos and materials (including Easy Read) about making and keeping friends.

These are for people with intellectual disability, made by and with people with disability.

The Friendship Project
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Friendships, Relationships and Guides about Sexuality and Gender.

Mencap is a British non-profit organization that supports people with learning disabilities, their families, and carers.

Mencap.org
hello it's me phone app

Hello It's Me

Hello It's Me is an online platform that people with IDD can buy to work on connecting with others and have relationship coaching.

Current app access const is $12 per month and relationship coaching costs $40 for 30 minutes.

Hello It's Me
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Safety Tips

Safety tips for making friends online.

Safety Tips Blog Post
woman watching netflix on tv

Streaming

Netflix hosts a documentary series in which people with autism navigate the world of dating and relationships with help from a coach.

There are both American and Australian versions.