Autistic Fans Get-together--what did you think?

[BlackjackGabbiani]

What did everyone think? I know people seemed to enjoy it, but there also seemed to be very little exchange of contact info. We all had fun talking, but I was hoping people would be making links at it.

Would you all like it to be back next year?

[garfieldelric]

I was there. I thank everyone I met there......... it really made me feel better in a way. I was diagnosed with Asperger's (re-diagnosed, actually) in mid-March, and coming here made me feel good and better in so many ways. I hope I've made a good impression on those I met @ the panel.

[BlackjackGabbiani]

Yeah! Your stand up was great (although a little hard to hear).

I'm glad it made you feel better. I made it with a few specific people in mind (though one of them went to a different con this year), so it was pretty great to see that socialization.

I was diagnosed back in '96 and nobody knew what Asperger's was then, much less HFA, so it was a very difficult journey.

[Shiny Marshmallow]

I know I'm late to answer here, especially that this was posted like right after the con but I did attend that panel & I quite enjoyed it. I too have Asperger's & got diagnosed with it when I was in second grade which was 1999/2000. Somewhere around there. I remember that because that's when they started putting me into a special program that got me out of class for a while & I got to do projects with a teacher on the third floor of the school. She even helped me with my homework.


Anyways, I liked that I got to have a battle with one of the girls there because normally I'm too nervous to battle anyone, even people I know but I felt much more comfortable going up against her. Also, got to see a friend of mine who is a member of the Portland Bronies at this too so that helped improve my experience a lot.

Bringing this back for 2015, I fully support it. I've met many autistic people at cons & ran into others who I know because they are also in the Bronies group here in Portland & I would hope to see some of them again or meet new people. The way I pretty much make new friends now days is through the Portland Bronies & as much as I like that, it would be nice meeting more people outside of that group & getting to know others who probably had similar experiences to me & can understand.


If this is brought back, hopefully I can make it to that again. It was a good time & was quite relaxing compared to the other things I usually do at cons.

[superjaz]

I am happy to see a get together like this.

[BlackjackGabbiani]

Yay! We're approved for this year again!

Please all come! I'd like to see more mingling too.

[AnimeEncyclopedia]

no kidding i have asperger's and adhd.

[Besieged.Infection]

It was great, and everyone was so supportive. Especially when I burst into tears. The hugs were the greatest. It's hard to find that level of straight up acceptance elsewhere, and it was great to find a safe space where i could discuss it freely. Made a few friends there, too.

[BlackjackGabbiani]

Awesome! That's what I want to hear.

[BlackjackGabbiani]

Not to bump my own thread, but I was wondering if anybody would like to have a further discussion either here or in another thread. I'd like to facilitate some meetups throughout the year as well.

[garfieldelric]

I really enjoyed this panel. Thank you for having me, BlackjackGabbiani, and I think I may do a panel like this @ SakuraCon.

[BlackjackGabbiani]

That'd be great!

[BlackjackGabbiani]

I submitted it again for this year, asking for TWO hours this time! I hope it gets approved.

[BlackjackGabbiani]

...that's a bummer. It wasn't approved for this year and no one has told me why yet. I hope they have a good reason because I know how much it means to everyone.