Re: Support Group question for Aspie Men please!

[Guest guest]

I hope no one take offense this is just my opinion and I’m not an Aspie so I really can’t speak for their/your needs/wants, but…From my observation of life and my husband (diagnosed) and my daughter (undiagnosed) I would say this. When people have house parties the following is very common; the men go off to one room to talk about their interests, and the women to another to talk about theirs. This happens for a couple of reasons that I can think of. 1) they usually have different interests and life events to talk about, 2) they think differently and it is easier to talk to someone who understands you than it is to try to explain something that the other person has no understanding of, 3) they may want to complain about their spouses to a peer group that will understand and support them. Now when I think about my husband and my daughter I see greater differences between the ways they think than I am used to seeing between and NT woman and an NT man. Now granted this isn’t a large sampling. J But I have noticed since I have been on Aspires that I would be able to tell the gender or the posters with no trouble at all, and that it is even easier if the people in question as Aspies. I am not eloquent enough to explain the difference but it is very apparent, or at least it is to me. It is because of these differences that sometimes it might easier for same sex groups to communicate more easily, bond better, and possibly run more smoothly. Or at least in theory. Don’t get me wrong, I have lobbied very hard in my day for mixed groups in other forums but in my old age I am either getting soft or I’m starting to see the reason why at least for some people they feel more comfortable opening up in groups that are of their own gender only. My $0.015Cheers,Deb From: aspires-relationships [mailto:aspires-relationships ] On Behalf Of gcaspiesinchattSent: December-06-11 8:17 AMTo: aspires-relationships Subject: Re: Support Group question for Aspie Men please! ** = my comments....>Trying to > segregate the sexes would imply running two groups which would make it > doubly hard to set them up and run them.** I agree totally. Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie women? Doesn't make any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization that goes on by society against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that there needs to be a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no sense to me, and I don't understand the logic at all behind segregating the sexes. If an organization wants to have a men's breakfast or something along those lines, great. A men's breakfast includes men from all walks of life who come together in fellowship, regardless of anything else. > For those of us who don't live anywhere near any support groups, > another most important aspect to this, as far as I can see, is that > there should be an on-line element to the proceedings. Anyone who is > unable to attend in person should be given an option for virtual attendance.** On-line would be about the only source of help for individuals who live far from a local support group, be it Greater Chattanooga Aspies or another support group. I am thankful to give adults with AS/HFA an opportunity to meet other like-minded adults in a setting that provides support opportunities.P.S. Segregating the groups? Big mistake.

[Guest guest]

I live with a husband who has aspergers and I have for the past 15 years, I was happy go lucky once, now I just want to die ! The feel is so deep that it scares me ! That's all thank u for lettingMe get that off my chest xxxSent from my iPhone

Thanks for your input .It's a social casual group not so much a support group facilitated by a professional. I thought that was mentioned if not, my bad.Im not sure if you have had the experience of an aspie social group that is mixed with men and women but, My hubby went to a mixed social group of aspies and it was difficult for him because it was mostly women who dominated the conversation. It took me a long time after that to get him out of a depression because he was convinced that he didn't have aspergers after that meeting because he didn't feel like he had anything in common with the women and he said that " if that's what aspergers is then i dont have it." It took a while for him to see that female aspie snd male are are different, not that one is better than the other but that symptoms are very different as you see in little girl aspies and little boy aspies. But I appreciate your insight. There are no support groups around my area too and this social meeting turned out to be a scam so I was very distraught. I long for support for my husband and myself. But I do agree from experience, that men and women are quite different just as aspie men and aspie women are quite different that sometimes it may not be beneficial to mix the the two groups, only speaking from personal experience. I guess that would be hard for me to explain but I think you would understand if you ever get the chance to go to a mixed social group of aspies which I hope one day you do.It's also the reason why I joined aspires. There are many online support groups for adults with aspergers including Facebook groups but I chose this one in particular because it was a site dedicated to spouses of aspie's and the aspie partners because everyone on here would understand my situation and my hubby's, which is something we haven't had for a very long time. Also because my dear friend suggested it to me.

** = my comments....

>

Trying to

> segregate the sexes would imply running two groups which would make it

> doubly hard to set them up and run them.

** I agree totally. Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie women? Doesn'tand make any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization that goes on by society against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that there needs to be a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no sense to me, and I don't understand the logic at all behind segregating the sexes. If an organization wants to have a men's breakfast or something along those lines, great. A men's breakfast includes men from all walks of life who come together in fellowship, regardless of anything else.

> For those of us who don't live anywhere near any support groups,

> another most important aspect to this, as far as I can see, is that

> there should be an on-line element to the proceedings. Anyone who is

> unable to attend in person should be given an option for virtual attendance.

** On-line would be about the only source of help for individuals who live far from a local support group, be it Greater Chattanooga Aspies or another support group. I am thankful to give adults with AS/HFA an opportunity to meet other like-minded adults in a setting that provides support opportunities.

P.S. Segregating the groups? Big mistake.

[Guest guest]

gcaspiesinchatt wrote:

> Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie women? Doesn't make

any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization that goes on by society

against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that there needs to be a group for

Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no sense to me, and I don't understand

the logic at all behind segregating the sexes. If an organization wants to have

a men's breakfast or something along those lines, great. A men's breakfast

includes men from all walks of life who come together in fellowship, regardless

of anything else.

I agree, . Bringing both together also allows for more

opportunities to increase understanding and perspective. And to develop

theory-of-mind skills, not only with Aspies of one's own sex, but

between the sexes as well.

Then there are gender issues to consider. There are a significant

number of LGBT folks within the Aspie community who often struggle to

find a place where they feel comfortable. Some of them do not neatly

fit within groups that are strictly segregated by male and female, yet

would do fine in an all-inclusive group. [However, if they are fortunate

enough to live in an area with a large LGBT population, they could form

a group of their own!]

I like the idea of the occasional satellite event, like a men's

breakfast or women's lunch. And I support online groups that are

segregated by male and female if that's what the membership desires.

Taken together, it seems like there would be a place for all interested

to find their most comfortable niche.

Best,

~CJ

[Guest guest]

> I live with a husband who has aspergers and I have for the past 15

> years, I was happy go lucky once, now I just want to die !

IMO, that is an odd statement to make on a list with many Asperger's

Autistics on it. If your husband makes you " want to die, " then why not

simply get a divorce?

Surely, however difficult getting a divorce might be, it could not

compare with wanting to die. I am, of course, assuming that your comment

was serious.

---

Mark A. , Ph.D., sociologist

29 domains: http://markfoster.net

Two books: http://bahaifaith.info

Clinical: http://fosterservices.com

[Guest guest]

I believe I am suffering from Cassandra syndrome and I don't know what to do or where to go Sent from my iPhone

> I live with a husband who has aspergers and I have for the past 15

> years, I was happy go lucky once, now I just want to die !

IMO, that is an odd statement to make on a list with many Asperger's

Autistics on it. If your husband makes you "want to die," then why not

simply get a divorce?

Surely, however difficult getting a divorce might be, it could not

compare with wanting to die. I am, of course, assuming that your comment

was serious.

---

Mark A. , Ph.D., sociologist

29 domains: http://markfoster.net

Two books: http://bahaifaith.info

Clinical: http://fosterservices.com

[Guest guest]

christinasu79@... wrote:

> Im not sure if you have had the experience of an aspie social group that

> is mixed with men and women but, My hubby went to a mixed social group

> of aspies and it was difficult for him because it was mostly women who

> dominated the conversation.

This can happen in any group, even NT groups. The problem here is not

the inclusiveness, it's the group facilitator not doing their job.

Unfortunately, many group facilitators are conflict-averse (or perhaps

just clueless or lazy) and don't actually do any facilitating. They may

have simply ended up in that role because they are the group's first member.

A facilitator's job requires keeping the discussion on-topic and moving

along so that everyone gets an opportunity to share and no one person or

clique monopolizes the conversation. It's hard work, and it's often

thankless work. Yet somebody has to do it or the group suffers.

> out of a depression because he was convinced that he didn't have

> aspergers after that meeting because he didn't feel like he had anything

> in common with the women and he said that " if that's what aspergers is

> then i dont have it. " It took a while for him to see that female aspie

> snd male are are different, not that one is better than the other but

> that symptoms are very different as you see in little girl aspies and

> little boy aspies.

Yet had he not attended that group, he may not have benefited from this

valuable insight.

> But I do agree from experience, that men and women are quite

> different just as aspie men and aspie women are quite different that

> sometimes it may not be beneficial to mix the the two groups, only

> speaking from personal experience. I guess that would be hard for me to

> explain but I think you would understand if you ever get the chance to

> go to a mixed social group of aspies which I hope one day you do.

Any group of people is challenging, especially an all-Aspie group. This

is so even if the group is all-male or all-female.

If theory-of-mind and self-awareness skills are poor, there will

probably be conflict and frustration in the group, whatever its makeup.

I know a group of Aspie men who meet, and most of them strongly dislike

each other and it shows. Predictably enough, often for the very same

qualities that they dislike in themselves.

Best,

~CJ

[Guest guest]

I love in a place called Rosemeadow in Sydney Australia Sent from my iPhone



I believe I am suffering from Cassandra syndrome and I don't know what to do or where to go

Where do you live?

[Guest guest]

** - my comments

>

> Thanks for your input .

** You're welcome, .

> It's a social casual group not so much a support group facilitated by a

professional. I thought that was mentioned if not, my bad.

** And that was a good-sized post of yours that I might have overlooked the fact

you mentioned it was a social group. Now being a social group, there's nothing

wrong at all having a men's aspie group or even an event where aspie men

congregate for whatever reason.

> Im not sure if you have had the experience of an aspie social group that is

mixed with men and women but, My hubby went to a mixed social group of aspies

and it was difficult for him because it was mostly women who dominated the

conversation. It took me a long time after that to get him out of a depression

because he was convinced that he didn't have aspergers after that meeting

because he didn't feel like he had anything in common with the women and he said

that " if that's what aspergers is then i dont have it. "

** U have never been a part of any male aspie group, because the opportunity has

never been presented before me. I don't live in large enough a city where

something like that is possible. I can see your husband's point of view where

being in a group like that was a struggle.

>It took a while for him to see that female aspie snd male are are different,

not that one is better than the other but that symptoms are very different as

you see in little girl aspies and little boy aspies. But I appreciate your

insight.

** You're welcome. Yes, male aspies and female aspies are different from each

other, like male aspies are different from each other, and female aspies are

different from each other. We all have different skill sets, etc.

>There are no support groups around my area too and this social meeting turned

out to be a scam so I was very distraught. I long for support for my husband and

myself. But I do agree from experience, that men and women are quite different

just as aspie men and aspie women are quite different that sometimes it may not

be beneficial to mix the the two groups, only speaking from personal experience.

I guess that would be hard for me to explain but I think you would understand if

you ever get the chance to go to a mixed social group of aspies which I hope one

day you do.

** My group's social events are mixed, as well as the ones I'm involved in that

are not aspie-related (which I tend to still struggle a little). I might

consider having a male-only aspie event. Then the challenge is the age range of

the men in my group. I am not at the point yet where I can have an event for

the younger adult male aspies and something for the older male aspies. That is

one goal I hope to figure out in 2012, as more people become involved with

Greater Chattanooga Aspies.

> It's also the reason why I joined aspires. There are many online support

groups for adults with aspergers including Facebook groups but I chose this one

in particular because it was a site dedicated to spouses of aspie's and the

aspie partners because everyone on here would understand my situation and my

hubby's, which is something we haven't had for a very long time. Also because my

dear friend suggested it to me.

** I find there are plenty of groups online as well, and aspires was the first

group I discovered online after being diagnosed officially in 2007. I am

thankful for aspires, and have learned a good deal through this group. I tried

to partner my group, GCA, with the Autistic Self-Awareness Network (ASAN) but

the compatibility wasn't there. I am thinking when the DSM-V goes into effect

that becoming an ASAN chapter in Chattanooga might be a possibility. I am

exploring the possibility of having a GRASP chapter in the Chattanooga area in

2012. I am glad you are able to get the wisdom of other people in here who

understand where you are coming from and such.

[Guest guest]

That goes back to the one time about the joke I mentioned to someone.

Me: Do you know why women's restrooms have a couch and men's don't?

Other: Why?

Me: Since when do you find men staying in the restroom after they are doing

whatever it is they're doing?

Joke aside, you bring up a valid point about men being one way and women being

another. I heard someone talk about men having compartments in their brains

where the compartments can not touch each other. There's this compartment, that

compartment, etc. Meanwhile, women are the multitaskers for the most part. They

can be so magnificient at multitasking that the compartments are often mingled

with each other. But us men..we need to keep our compartments separate from each

other, so they don't touch each other.

> My $0.015

>

> Cheers,

>

> Deb

Is that like the USD equivalent of $.02?

> >

> Trying to

> > segregate the sexes would imply running two groups which would make it

> > doubly hard to set them up and run them.

> ** I agree totally. Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie

> women? Doesn't make any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization

> that goes on by society against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that

> there needs to be a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no

> sense to me, and I don't understand the logic at all behind segregating the

> sexes. If an organization wants to have a men's breakfast or something along

> those lines, great. A men's breakfast includes men from all walks of life

> who come together in fellowship, regardless of anything else.

>

> > For those of us who don't live anywhere near any support groups,

> > another most important aspect to this, as far as I can see, is that

> > there should be an on-line element to the proceedings. Anyone who is

> > unable to attend in person should be given an option for virtual

> attendance.

> ** On-line would be about the only source of help for individuals who live

> far from a local support group, be it Greater Chattanooga Aspies or another

> support group. I am thankful to give adults with AS/HFA an opportunity to

> meet other like-minded adults in a setting that provides support

> opportunities.

>

>

>

> P.S. Segregating the groups? Big mistake.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , I know the comedy sketch you are talking about with the men’s compartmentalized brain and the women’s ball of wire. It was hilarious. Thanks for reminding me of it. And yes that was the deflated $0.02 Cheers,Deb From: aspires-relationships [mailto:aspires-relationships ] On Behalf Of gcaspiesinchattSent: December-06-11 8:44 PMTo: aspires-relationships Subject: Re: Support Group question for Aspie Men please! That goes back to the one time about the joke I mentioned to someone.Me: Do you know why women's restrooms have a couch and men's don't?Other: Why?Me: Since when do you find men staying in the restroom after they are doing whatever it is they're doing?Joke aside, you bring up a valid point about men being one way and women being another. I heard someone talk about men having compartments in their brains where the compartments can not touch each other. There's this compartment, that compartment, etc. Meanwhile, women are the multitaskers for the most part. They can be so magnificient at multitasking that the compartments are often mingled with each other. But us men..we need to keep our compartments separate from each other, so they don't touch each other.> My $0.015> > Cheers,> > DebIs that like the USD equivalent of $.02? > >> Trying to > > segregate the sexes would imply running two groups which would make it > > doubly hard to set them up and run them.> ** I agree totally. Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie> women? Doesn't make any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization> that goes on by society against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that> there needs to be a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no> sense to me, and I don't understand the logic at all behind segregating the> sexes. If an organization wants to have a men's breakfast or something along> those lines, great. A men's breakfast includes men from all walks of life> who come together in fellowship, regardless of anything else. > > > For those of us who don't live anywhere near any support groups, > > another most important aspect to this, as far as I can see, is that > > there should be an on-line element to the proceedings. Anyone who is > > unable to attend in person should be given an option for virtual> attendance.> ** On-line would be about the only source of help for individuals who live> far from a local support group, be it Greater Chattanooga Aspies or another> support group. I am thankful to give adults with AS/HFA an opportunity to> meet other like-minded adults in a setting that provides support> opportunities.> > > > P.S. Segregating the groups? Big mistake.>

[Guest guest]

However, occasionally I do get surprised.Some Aspie men have come a long way in developing these skills. Several of those men are right here on ASPIRES. ;)Deb: CJ you are so correct! The quality of some of the Aspie men on this site is amazing. They should write professionally (those that don’t already. ) While some Aspie women exhibit the more stereotypical aspects of the " extreme male brain " sort of Aspie. [i encounter these ladies in groups other than ASPIRES.]Deb: Very true that type of thinking is not exclusive to AS women.> It is because of these differences that sometimes it might easier for > same sex groups to communicate more easily, bond better, and possibly > run more smoothly. Or at least in theory.In my experience, it doesn't seem to work any better than it does for NTs.I don’t have any experience with clinical groups but I know that was talking about a social group and in my experience when you get groups of NTs together they usually naturally slit off into male and female groups with people drifting in and out, back and forth but for the most part the men are together and the women are together. So IF that is a social normally comfortable situation and IF like said, her husband was very uncomfortable with the AS women but has since met my husband and they immediately were comfortable with each other, perhaps there may be something to be said for setting up social events that are open to one gender or the other. But like I said in my other post this is anecdotal evidence and a small sampling. Like NTs, all Aspies are different. And because of that, we don't relate any better to each other as a group (same sex or not) than do NTs among their own kind.I’m not sure if I’m understanding what you are trying to say. Are you saying that groups of NTs cannot relate to each other? I understand you are saying that everyone is an individual whether AS or NT and that our individual differences can get in the way of relating but after that I got lost. Please clarify. Thanks!Any person who has difficulty (especially great difficulty) with perspective-taking and theory-of-mind issues is probably going to have a hard time communicating, bonding, and being part of a group wherever they go.Very true. But I think we do tend to prefer to be social with people we have more in common with and perhaps even if that commonality is being socially awkward and unaware. Maybe???Cheers,DebBest,~CJ

[Guest guest]

Deb: Thanks , I personally dislike gender biases too but I have to admit that I have mellowed on my militant stance on that as I’ve aged. And I also have realized that maybe there are some things we just can’t change. Perhaps they are human nature or whatever but I don’t have the energy anymore to fight battles that I know I will lose. J Cheers,Deb From: aspires-relationships [mailto:aspires-relationships ] On Behalf Of SuSent: December-07-11 2:20 AMTo: aspires-relationships Subject: Re: Re: Support Group question for Aspie Men please! Deb, I get what you're saying. I don't know why but personally I can be in a support group with other NT male spouses of aspie women, but for some reason hubby(aspie) couldn't get rid of the anxiety with other aspie women. I hate gender biases and am pro feminist perspectives. But when it comes to my hubby and his mental health, then it goes out the window, and I just want to do anything to support him and relieve his anxiety. That is very true, I see the cognitive differences. I can relate with other NT male spouses but hubby just can't relate as much to other aspie women. Wish I could explain why, but he doesn't really know how to explain it to me I really like how you put things into perspective. I hope no one take offense this is just my opinion and I’m not an Aspie so I really can’t speak for their/your needs/wants, but…From my observation of life and my husband (diagnosed) and my daughter (undiagnosed) I would say this. When people have house parties the following is very common; the men go off to one room to talk about their interests, and the women to another to talk about theirs. This happens for a couple of reasons that I can think of. 1) they usually have different interests and life events to talk about, 2) they think differently and it is easier to talk to someone who understands you than it is to try to explain something that the other person has no understanding of, 3) they may want to complain about their spouses to a peer group that will understand and support them. Now when I think about my husband and my daughter I see greater differences between the ways they think than I am used to seeing between and NT woman and an NT man. Now granted this isn’t a large sampling. J But I have noticed since I have been on Aspires that I would be able to tell the gender or the posters with no trouble at all, and that it is even easier if the people in question as Aspies. I am not eloquent enough to explain the difference but it is very apparent, or at least it is to me. It is because of these differences that sometimes it might easier for same sex groups to communicate more easily, bond better, and possibly run more smoothly. Or at least in theory. Don’t get me wrong, I have lobbied very hard in my day for mixed groups in other forums but in my old age I am either getting soft or I’m starting to see the reason why at least for some people they feel more comfortable opening up in groups that are of their own gender only. My $0.015Cheers,Deb From: aspires-relationships [mailto:aspires-relationships ] On Behalf Of gcaspiesinchattSent: December-06-11 8:17 AMTo: aspires-relationships Subject: Re: Support Group question for Aspie Men please! ** = my comments....>Trying to > segregate the sexes would imply running two groups which would make it > doubly hard to set them up and run them.** I agree totally. Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie women? Doesn't make any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization that goes on by society against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that there needs to be a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no sense to me, and I don't understand the logic at all behind segregating the sexes. If an organization wants to have a men's breakfast or something along those lines, great. A men's breakfast includes men from all walks of life who come together in fellowship, regardless of anything else. > For those of us who don't live anywhere near any support groups, > another most important aspect to this, as far as I can see, is that > there should be an on-line element to the proceedings. Anyone who is > unable to attend in person should be given an option for virtual attendance.** On-line would be about the only source of help for individuals who live far from a local support group, be it Greater Chattanooga Aspies or another support group. I am thankful to give adults with AS/HFA an opportunity to meet other like-minded adults in a setting that provides support opportunities.P.S. Segregating the groups? Big mistake.

[Guest guest]

Leesa, not normal for everyone, but normal for a lot of us who have been in marriages similar to yours. We are trying to tell you that we have been there and felt that way too. There was a 6 month period in my marriage where I walked around with a box cutter in my purse, waiting for the right opportunity and place to present its self so I could end my life without causing harm to the person who found me. If I had figured out how to do that I might not be here today. I hope many decades from now you are still around to remember this and for it to just be a distant memory with no more pain attached to it. Or in other words I hope you find your way back to yourself and to happiness and live a long life with the rest of it happy and emotionally fulfilled. Hugs,Deb From: aspires-relationships [mailto:aspires-relationships ] On Behalf Of LeesaSent: December-07-11 2:21 AMTo: aspires-relationships Subject: Re: Re: Support Group question for Aspie Men please! I hate this normal 15 years of it makes me feel far from normal, I feel alone Sent from my iPhone Leesa I don't if I had Cassandra syndrome, but maybe, but I think what your feeling is normal and typical in this type of marriage. I live with a husband who has aspergers and I have for the past 15 years, I was happy go lucky once, now I just want to die ! The feel is so deep that it scares me ! That's all thank u for lettingMe get that off my chest xxxSent from my iPhone Thanks for your input . It's a social casual group not so much a support group facilitated by a professional. I thought that was mentioned if not, my bad. Im not sure if you have had the experience of an aspie social group that is mixed with men and women but, My hubby went to a mixed social group of aspies and it was difficult for him because it was mostly women who dominated the conversation. It took me a long time after that to get him out of a depression because he was convinced that he didn't have aspergers after that meeting because he didn't feel like he had anything in common with the women and he said that " if that's what aspergers is then i dont have it. " It took a while for him to see that female aspie snd male are are different, not that one is better than the other but that symptoms are very different as you see in little girl aspies and little boy aspies. But I appreciate your insight. There are no support groups around my area too and this social meeting turned out to be a scam so I was very distraught. I long for support for my husband and myself. But I do agree from experience, that men and women are quite different just as aspie men and aspie women are quite different that sometimes it may not be beneficial to mix the the two groups, only speaking from personal experience. I guess that would be hard for me to explain but I think you would understand if you ever get the chance to go to a mixed social group of aspies which I hope one day you do. It's also the reason why I joined aspires. There are many online support groups for adults with aspergers including Facebook groups but I chose this one in particular because it was a site dedicated to spouses of aspie's and the aspie partners because everyone on here would understand my situation and my hubby's, which is something we haven't had for a very long time. Also because my dear friend suggested it to me. ** = my comments....>Trying to > segregate the sexes would imply running two groups which would make it > doubly hard to set them up and run them.** I agree totally. Why the need for a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie women? Doesn'tand make any sense to me. It's bad enough of the marginlization that goes on by society against people who have AS or HFA to suggest that there needs to be a group for Aspie men and one for Aspie woman. Makes no sense to me, and I don't understand the logic at all behind segregating the sexes. If an organization wants to have a men's breakfast or something along those lines, great. A men's breakfast includes men from all walks of life who come together in fellowship, regardless of anything else. > For those of us who don't live anywhere near any support groups, > another most important aspect to this, as far as I can see, is that > there should be an on-line element to the proceedings. Anyone who is > unable to attend in person should be given an option for virtual attendance.** On-line would be about the only source of help for individuals who live far from a local support group, be it Greater Chattanooga Aspies or another support group. I am thankful to give adults with AS/HFA an opportunity to meet other like-minded adults in a setting that provides support opportunities.P.S. Segregating the groups? Big mistake.