Making Friends & Social Connections
We all deserve to have friends and to decide how we want to spend our time. Good friends share interests with you, care about you as a person, respect your choices, include you in activities, and are there for you when you need support.
Whether you keep in touch with old friends, join new groups, or try different activities, the most important thing is to spend time with people who make you feel valued, respected, and included. Good relationships take time and effort, so make sure your plan considers how to maintain and grow healthy relationships.
Stay Connected to People You Already Know
Make time for the people who matter most to you. Keep in touch with family members and friends from school, work, or your neighborhood. You can also build good relationships with other people you trust, like people who provide support services. If religion or spirituality is important to you, staying active in your faith community may lead to friendship and support.
Think about how you will keep your current social connections strong, especially during times of change.
- Think about what support you might need to keep friendships going.
- Identify people who can help you stay involved in activities you enjoy.
- Plan how you will keep in touch with friends if things change.
Explore New Activities to Find New Friends
Joining clubs, programs, or other activities can be a good way to meet new people and make friends. Here are some questions to ask when including social networks in a future plan:
- What do you like to do for fun?
- Who are the people you like to spend time with?
- What activities make you happy?
- What new things would you like to learn about or try?
- Who will help make sure daily activities continue to be part of your life?
Your local chapter of The Arc may offer social social programs, events, or recreational activities. They can also help identify other local community groups, such as interest-based clubs. Look for activities focused on inclusion, skill-building, and peer support.
Dealing With Changes & Loss
Sometimes friendships change or end, and that can be hard. It’s normal to feel sad when:
- A friend moves away
- Relationships change
- Someone important in your life dies
- Your living situation changes
Getting support from people you trust can help you through difficult times.
Ready to Start Planning?
Our future planning template makes it easy to get started! Writing a future plan for a person with IDD helps explain daily routines, preferences, support needs, and goals for the future. It can complement legal and financial plans by providing personal details about the person that are not typically included in formal paperwork.
Remember to review and update this plan at least once a year. As life changes, this document should change too.