BY KATRINA BRANDON
MORWELL mother and daughter Sharon Axen and Rhi Skye have created an online social group for people on the spectrum.
The Facebook group Social/Friendship/Dating For People On The Spectrum aims to create a safe place to socialise, make friends and date.
The idea came from Ms Axen, who has two sons on the spectrum, and finding that usual dating sites and apps weren’t accommodating.
“I have found that there are a lot of parents that feel the same as me, that there is nowhere for our 18 to 30, which is our group bracket, there is nowhere for them to go, nowhere safe for them to seek out and make friendships, and to have romantic relationships,” she said.
“We want a supportive environment for our young people and our parents, teaching our young people to communicate and pick up on those social cues, which sometimes can be quite difficult when you are on the spectrum.”
To keep everyone involved safe, Ms Axen said activities such as singles nights and catch-ups are heavily monitored. Some activities include an introduction to Dungeons & Dragons, chess, gaming and trivia.
Participants can share their hobbies and interests within the group so that others on the spectrum who have the same passions can interact with them. This creates opportunities for relationships, friends or otherwise. Group members come from as far as Lakes Entrance, Warragul, and South Gippsland, and the group has already reached more than 80 members within a month.
Ms Axen and Ms Skye said they have been happy with the turnout.
“We have had quite a few adults over the age of 30 wanting to join, so it is certainly something that I have on the backburner if there is a need for it,” Ms Axen said.
“Unfortunately, at the moment, we have had to say no because it is quite specific, and maybe later, we will do an older group for people on the spectrum who need to find and want to find social groups and activities to do.”
