Creating Space for Connection: Social Activities for Autistic Adults in San Diego
Human connection is a fundamental need, including for autistic adults. While the school system provides a natural opportunity to meet and engage with other neurodivergent students, when school ends, that dedicated community often changes or disappears. For autistic individuals, this transition marks a pivotal moment. It’s a time to branch out, explore new interests, and intentionally build a life filled with meaningful relationships.
At the National Foundation for Autism Research (NFAR), we are dedicated to providing autism support in San Diego and helping neurodivergent adults find their footing in this exciting new chapter. By offering specialized social activities for autistic adults, we create an additional space in their lives, beyond the home or workplace, where they can grow alongside likeminded individuals in a fun, supportive environment.
Why Social Spaces Matter in Adulthood
A fulfilling social life is a vital component of mental well-being and personal identity. Developing social skills for autistic adults isn’t about masking, fitting in, or changing who you are; it’s about gaining the confidence to navigate the world, express your needs, and share your passions with others. It’s about finding a place where you feel seen and heard.
Specialized Autism Support Programs
For neurodivergent adults, traditional social environments can sometimes be overstimulating or rely on unspoken rules that cause anxiety. Specialized autism programs in San Diego, like our NFAR Social Workshops, offer a different approach. We provide a structured yet relaxed environment where participants can practice communication at their own pace, guided by instructors who understand their unique perspectives.
The NFAR Social Workshop Experience
Our workshops are designed as an 8-week series, with each of the 8 sessions lasting 2 hours (with breaks as needed). We maintain a low 8:1 participant-to-instructor ratio to ensure everyone receives the support they need. Participants can choose up to 2 of our 3 series at a time:
1. Improv Workshop: For confidence and connection
Improv is a powerful tool for creating spur of the moment growth and connection, making it an ideal activity for building social skills for autistic adults. Through guided icebreakers and games, participants practice:
- Active listening: Tuning into others to keep a conversation moving
- Flexibility: Learning to pivot when a situation takes an unexpected turn
- Teamwork: Collaborating with peers to create something fun and spontaneous
- Confidence: Stepping out of your comfort zone in a safe, judgment-free zone
2. Game Night Workshop: For strategy and communication
From classic board games to modern favorites, our game night offers a perfect balance of whole-group activities and small-group play. Our games provide a natural buffer for social interaction, allowing participants to:
- Participate through problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Engage in clear, rule-based communication and teamwork
- Experience the simple joy of shared victory and friendly competition, all in a relaxed, friendly environment!
3. Creative Arts Workshop: For hands-on self-expression
For those who prefer a tactile environment, our creative arts track invites participants to explore their curiosity and try things in a supportive environment, with no prior experience or expertise required. This workshop focuses on the process of creation, providing a wonderful way to:
- Express self-identity through art and craft projects
- Connect with others over shared interests
- Discover new hobbies that can be continued at home or in the local community
Who Is NFAR Social For?
We are proud to be a welcoming space for all members of our community! While our workshops are created as resources for autistic adults in San Diego, NFAR social is designed for any neurodivergent adult who can navigate sessions independently, follow basic directions, and engage in a group setting. While families may be able to work with us to make accommodations, intended eligibility includes:
- Adults ages 18 years and older
Those with and without mild/moderate intellectual disabilities - Those able to arrive and depart from sessions independently
Those who can complete simple tasks independently with verbal or written directions - Those who can to refrain from behaviors that are disruptive or aggressive
- Those able to communicate basic needs in some form with staff and others
Practical Information for San Diego Families
NFAR is committed to making our resources for autistic adults as accessible as possible. Here are a few key details that help ensure our program works for your family:
Location: Workshops are held at the NFAR Vocational Training Center in Scripps Ranch (9825 Businesspark Ave., San Diego, CA 92131). The center is conveniently located off the I-15 freeway and Carroll Canyon Road, and is accessible via MTS bus service from the Miramar College transit center.
Funding: NFAR Social is a vendor of the San Diego Regional Center (Social Recreation: Code 094, Vendor #: PY4412) in order to make it easier for our community to access our autism support in San Diego.
Support arrangements: Individuals who require greater support and/or who have behavioral, medical or other issues that require greater than 1:8 assistance can make support arrangements and coordinate with NFAR to attend.
Join the Community
If you or a loved one are looking for a place to belong and a community to branch out into, we invite you to take the first step. Creating a social life is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone. So, if you or an autistic loved one are looking to meet new people and form a new like-minded community, visit our NFAR Social Workshops page to fill out an interest form and learn more about our upcoming sessions.
