“Neurodivergent people just get each other”: Navigating friendship and community in the transition to adulthood for autistic adults

Quality friendships are integral to wellbeing for many autistic adults. However, the prevalence of loneliness is felt by many in the autistic community. The current study examines autistic adults’ social experiences in navigating friendships throughout early adulthood through a series of semi-structured interviews. Seventeen autistic adults were interviewed on the subject of transitioning to adulthood. Themes related to friendships and relationships were analyzed. Data analyses followed the guidelines for reflexive thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke (2024a;b). Participants recalled Forging Friendships , discomfort around stereotypes of autism, and gaining confidence in engaging in self-soothing behaviors. When creating friendships, participants experienced Sensory Overwhelm and struggled to explain their compensatory behaviors. As their friendships became closer, participants described Unmasking/Vulnerability as their friends got to know their authentic selves. When Creating Boundaries , participants recalled difficulties navigating sexual and romantic contact, difficulty discerning others’ motives, and struggles with realizing their own discomfort. Participants discussed Disclosure of their autistic identity, and Finding Community with other autistic individuals. The findings from this study help to inform the field’s understanding of the social experiences of autistic adults, as well as ways in which future intervention design and services can support autistic adults developing meaningful, lasting relationships throughout their lives. • Autistic adults struggled with creating and maintaining friendships, discomfort in perceptions of autism as anti-social, and confidence in self-soothing behaviors. • Struggled with romance, interpreting peer motivations, recognizing their discomfort in social situations, and sensory overwhelm. • Expressed joy and acceptance in finding autistic community.