Woman creates online social network for adults on autism spectrum
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LOWELLVILLE — For some, it can be reflexively easy to despair and mentally map out an uncertain future when a family member receives an autism diagnosis.
For others, such as Jenn Henderson, that situation can be the impetus to advocacy – in her case, to create an online group for young adults to assist them with improving their social skills and networking capabilities.
“He’s very intelligent, but he didn’t pick up on social cues,” Henderson said about her son, C.J., 22, who was diagnosed with autism about 10 years ago.
Henderson did not want her son’s last name used.
Far from succumbing to worry and despair, she recently launched a new Facebook group called 330 Spectrum Social, which is geared toward young adults 18 and older on the spectrum who live in Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania to connect with one another. So far, five members in their 20s and 30s have joined, she said last week.
Henderson, a real estate agent at Century 21 Lakeside Realty’s Austintown office, noted that a primary goal is to offer a judgment-free and safe online space for the young people to get to know one another and discover shared interests, with the hope that such a path will lead to friendships and in-person social interactions.
330 Spectrum Social is intended to be a peer-to-peer group focused on cultivating friendships and connections, not an autism support or resource stop, Henderson stressed.
Before it was officially discovered he was on the spectrum, C.J., who also was diagnosed at age 5 with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, had developed an unusual fixation on video games and computer screens. In addition, he suffered from bullying in high school and had great difficulty formulating friendships with peers, his mother said.
“I noticed he struggled with interacting with other kids his age,” Henderson said, adding that C.J. also has a type of epilepsy, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder and gastroparesis, a chronic digestive condition that prevents the stomach from emptying food normally, with common symptoms that include vomiting and nausea.
Her young son’s challenges also spilled into the employment arena because C.J. had three jobs, each of which lasted about six months. One of them was in the service department at an area Walmart store, where he also was bullied, Henderson said.
To protect members’ identities, 330 Spectrum Social is a private group, though those interested in joining can visit its Facebook page and answer certain basic questions that Henderson will review and evaluate before approving requests, she said.
For her part, Henderson created a few “icebreaker posts” to encourage members to increase their interactivity. One such correspondence inquired about whether they enjoy outdoor music events, she added.
Also, 330 Spectrum Social’s creation sought to fill what Henderson saw as an offerings gap. While searching for local groups to allow C.J. to meet other young adults on the autism spectrum, a plethora of choices was available to children, parents, caregivers and those who needed additional support services, but few focused on providing for more independent young adults on the spectrum.
“My son, for example, would much rather get to know someone online or over the phone before attending an activity with people he’s never met,” she said, adding, “That’s what gave me the idea for 330 Spectrum Social. I wanted to create another option for young adults who may be fairly independent but still struggle with social situations or finding people they connect with.”
The group takes on added importance because the social needs of young adults with autism often are overlooked, especially post high school when many structured opportunities to interact with peers are removed, she said.
“Just because someone is fairly independent doesn’t mean making friends or navigating social situations comes easily,” Henderson added.
Her newest focus is on spreading information about the group, which she has so far done on Reddit, as well as at area libraries, colleges and media outlets. Another challenge is reaching a greater number of young adults on the spectrum who live in the region to ensure they are aware of 330 Spectrum Social, she said.
At home, Henderson is working to help C.J. deal with a variety of emotions he has that stem from his past, largely by pointing to the inherent value and self-healing aspect associated with forgiving those whom he feels have wronged him. Recently, she created a kindness rock garden in Lowellville, in part to demonstrate to her son that “kind people are out there,” Henderson said.
In addition, she said she is trying to get across to C.J. that it’s important to model the changes he wants to see in others, and that finding direction and purpose present challenges for everyone.
“We’re always figuring out what our next move in life is,” she added.