Families of Autistic Adults Network

06/23/2026

There are some thoughts many parents carry quietly.

Worries about the future.

Questions about friendships.

Wondering whether we're helping too much or not enough.

Today's blog post explores some of the things parents don't always say out loud.

🔗 Read more:

Many parents of neurodivergent teens and adults carry worries they rarely talk about. Explore common concerns about friendships, independence, and the future—and discover that you're not alone.

06/22/2026

Sometimes the hardest parts of caregiving are the worries we rarely talk about.

Many families carry these thoughts quietly while continuing to show up every day.

Which one resonates with you most?

06/19/2026

Sometimes the most helpful questions are the simplest ones.

A little reflection can sometimes bring a lot of clarity.

06/17/2026

Friendship isn't about finding perfect people.
It's about finding people who respect who you are.

06/16/2026

Friendship matters.

Belonging matters too.

They're not always the same thing.

06/15/2026

Not everyone struggles with friendship for the same reasons.

Some people miss social cues.

Some overthink every interaction.

Some want friends but don't know how to start conversations.

Some make friends easily but struggle to maintain them.

Some feel like they are always "fitting in" instead of belonging.

These experiences can show up in autism, ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and many other situations.

Everyone deserves connection.

Everyone deserves to feel accepted for who they are.

💙 What helps you feel like you truly belong?

06/12/2026

Friendship can be one of the most confusing parts of adolescence and young adulthood.

Many teens and young adults struggle with questions like:
• How do I know if a friendship is healthy?
• Why do friendships seem easier for other people?
• What makes me feel connected and accepted?
• What do I actually want from a friendship?

The Friendship Reflection Pages were created to encourage thoughtful self-reflection around connection, belonging, boundaries, and relationships.

These pages can be used independently or alongside conversations with parents, educators, mentors, or support professionals.

✨ Available now in both color and printer-friendly versions.

🔗 FAANetwork.org/resources

06/11/2026

When Summer Doesn't Go As Planned

Not every summer day goes according to plan.
Plans get canceled.

Friends aren't available.

The weather changes.

Energy runs low.

And sometimes a day that looked promising suddenly feels long and disappointing.

That's exactly why I created Things to Do When Summer Plans Fall Through—a practical resource filled with simple ideas to help teens and young adults find meaningful ways to spend their time when plans change unexpectedly.

Because having a backup plan can make a difficult day feel a little easier.

🔗 Available now through FAAN.

06/10/2026

Many autistic teens and young adults can tell you exactly what they want in a friendship but still struggle to understand when a relationship is becoming unhealthy, one-sided, or confusing.

Having friends isn't always the same as feeling like you belong.

Some autistic teens and young adults have people around them but still feel disconnected, misunderstood, or unsure where they fit.

Belonging often comes from being accepted for who you are—not from the number of people in your social circle.

That's one reason relationship skills and self-reflection can be so important.

If friendship has ever felt confusing, one-sided, or just plain hard, you're not alone. I'm currently creating the Friendship Reflection Pages to help teens and young adults better understand their experiences and build healthier connections. Coming soon.

06/09/2026

Sometimes there isn't just one diagnosis.
Sometimes it's autism and ADHD.

Sometimes it's anxiety and executive functioning challenges.

Sometimes it's years of trying to understand what your child needs and how to support them.

If you've ever felt like your family doesn't fit neatly into a single category, you're not alone.

FAAN is built around practical support, real-life challenges, and helping families navigate the journey in front of them.