Making Friends: Advice for Kids with Autism

When you want to make friends, consider their interests. It will be great if you choose someone who likes to do the same things, because then you can do them together! However, choosing someone who is very different from you can also have its benefits, because then you might learn to like new things that they're interested in.

Most of all, regardless of their interests, ensure that they are a nice person. This is the most important quality in a friend; not only should they be nice to you, but also nice to others.

They should be good at sharing, and always be welcoming of others to join in.

If you ever see someone bullying, being mean to someone, or misbehaving in a way you don't approve of, you should avoid trying to make them your friend. If you befriend a bully, they will likely want you to be mean to people along with them, which you should never do. In fact, if you ever see someone bullying someone, the person to make your friend is the victim, not the bully.

If you are ever curious whether someone would be a good friend or not, you can talk to an adult you trust like your mom, dad, sibling, or teacher.