Our values and passion... Why we do what we do!
Social interaction and connections are fundamental human needs. Research consistently highlights the strong link between mental health and social connectedness. Yet, in today’s world, we all too often underestimate the importance of social connection. Modern life pulls us in so many directions, and social time can easily slip down the list of priorities. As a result, our mental health suffers. In the UK, we are facing worrying levels of loneliness, with more and more people feeling disconnected from those around them. For families of children with additional needs, this isolation is often even more pronounced.
Many autistic children and their families experience significant social isolation, with limited opportunities to build friendships or meet like-minded peers. For children, this can mean missing out on shared experiences that help develop social skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. For parents, it can lead to feelings of loneliness, a lack of peer support, and added stress in managing their child’s social world.
Through my work with autistic children over the past two decades, I have seen many cases where both children and parents are struggling with significant mental health difficulties, directly linked to their social isolation. Too often, I meet children who have no friends or even regular opportunities to spend time with peers, leaving them stuck at home with nowhere to go. I also see parents who have lost friendships because their child’s needs take priority, leaving them without support and understanding from those around them. This isolation takes a huge emotional toll, making day-to-day life even more challenging.
This is what drives my passion that has led me to creating Spectrum Socials. I want to bring families together, in order to improve the mental health and well-being of a population that are disproportionately suffering. Spectrum Socials is about creating spaces where meaningful connections can flourish—where children can form friendships at their own pace and in ways that feel comfortable, and where parents can find a community that offers understanding, support, and reassurance.
Due to communication and social skill impairments, many children with autism may find it difficult to build connections through conversations alone. An easier way for them to bond is through shared, rewarding experiences, in an environment where they can feel comfortable and relaxed. Spectrum Socials provides the opportunity for both fun and exciting shared experiences, in addition to guidance from therapists, to develop social skills in a natural and reinforcing way.
Through this initiative, I hope to bring a little more joy, help families to feel a little less alone, and give children with autism the opportunity to have more meaningful connections that are so vital in life.
