Building relationships and connecting with others is a deeply personal experience for everyone.
Autistic people often socialize and connect with others in ways that look a little different from what is considered “typical”—but different doesn’t mean less valid or less meaningful.

In this post, I want to explore some of the nuances of how we connect, the challenges we face, and how creating spaces where we can build authentic relationships benefits everyone.
How We Connect
As autistic people, we often approach connection and socializing in ways that reflect our individuality, interests and strengths.
For example, many of us:
Prefer fewer but deeper friendships.
Build connections through shared interests or activities.
Enjoy “parallel play”—spending time together in the same space while engaging in different activities.
Need breaks from socializing to recover and recharge.
Connect more often online or through text than in-person gatherings.
Prefer one-on-one interactions over large group settings.
These preferences aren’t always understood by non-autistic people. Unfortunately, that misunderstanding can sometimes lead to assumptions about us being disinterested or socially awkward, which isn’t the case. We just have different ways of relating to others.
At FutureTech, our programs honor these differences. We create spaces where neurodivergent people can engage in ways that feel natural and affirming, allowing us to form meaningful relationships-on our terms.
Bridging the Gap: The Double Empathy Problem
For years, difficulties in connection between autistic and non-autistic people have been framed as problems with autistic people—a deficit that needed to be fixed.
Autistic people are taught how to socialize “the right way” based on non-autistic expectations, often at the expense of our well-being.
Today, thanks to Dr. Damien Milton’s Double Empathy Problem theory, we know that’s not the whole story.
The theory highlights that challenges in connection aren’t solely on autistic people. Instead, they stem from differences in how autistic and non-autistic people experience and understand the world.
This means that connection requires effort and adaptation on both sides.
Effective communication is everyone’s responsibility, and learning new ways to connect benefits us all.
At FutureTech, we weave these insights into our programs, building environments where everyone can learn to appreciate and respect each other’s perspectives and build meaningful connections.
The Cost of Masking
Many of us feel pressure to “mask” in social situations. Masking, or camouflaging, means hiding our autistic traits or behaviors to fit into non-autistic norms.
While masking might help us avoid stigma or connect superficially, it often comes at a huge cost:
Exhaustion: Masking is physically, emotionally, and mentally draining.
Delayed Diagnosis: Masking can make it harder for others to see our support needs.
Identity Struggles: Hiding who we are can erode our self-esteem and lead to feelings of inauthenticity.
Increased Vulnerability: A lifetime of masking can make us more likely to people-please, ignore our instincts, or end up in unsafe situations.
At FutureTech, we work hard to create spaces where masking isn’t necessary. Our programs focus on supporting participants to embrace their authenticity, learn self-advocacy, and build confidence, ultimately helping neurodivergent youth feel safe to be themselves.
Creating Inclusive Spaces for Connection
Bridging the gap between autistic and non-autistic people requires us all to embrace diverse ways of connecting and create inclusive spaces.
This means:
Adapting communication styles to meet others where they are.
Offering low-pressure social opportunities, like parallel play or shared-interest activities.
Respecting the need for breaks and quiet spaces.
Learning about different neurotypes and what they bring to relationships.
Understanding that all ways of connecting (including through online spaces) are valid and meaningful.
FutureTech’s workshops and training sessions help schools, families, and communities understand and celebrate these differences. By equipping people with tools to support authentic connection, we’re helping to create a more welcoming, inclusive world.

Relationships are at the heart of what it means to be human. By embracing the diverse ways we connect and socialize, we can build a world that values all forms of communication and relationship-building.
At FutureTech, we’re committed to creating spaces where neurodivergent youth can thrive—spaces that celebrate authenticity, build understanding, and empower us to connect on our own terms.
Want to learn more about how we’re supporting autistic youth?
Explore our programs here.