Autism-Friendly Social Skills App for Adults

Guide updated: November 2025

Why an Autism Social Skills App?

Many autistic adults say they were given vague advice like “just be more confident” or “read the room better” without clear examples of what that means. SpringSocial focuses on specific situations and decisions, so you can see concrete options and outcomes.

The aim is not to change who you are. It’s to give you information about how certain choices may be interpreted so you can decide what works for you in different contexts — work, study, friendships, relationships and more.

How SpringSocial Can Help Autistic Adults

• Explicit explanations – each scenario explains why a response might help or cause problems, instead of assuming you already know unwritten rules.
• Consistent structure – scenarios follow a predictable pattern, which can be easier to process than chaotic real-life interactions.
• Private practice – you can experiment with different approaches without worrying about upsetting or confusing anyone.
• No “right personality” – the app comments on behaviours in context, not on your personality or identity.

Situations Autistic Users Often Practise

At work or university

• Joining conversations before meetings start.
• Knowing when it’s your turn to speak.
• Handling confusing feedback from managers or lecturers.
• Raising issues without sounding confrontational.

Friendships and social groups

• Showing interest without feeling fake.
• Understanding when people are hinting instead of saying things directly.
• Repairing misunderstandings after blunt comments or info-dumps.
• Leaving events when you are overloaded without upsetting people.

Dating and relationships

• Working out whether someone is interested.
• Talking about needs around routines and sensory issues.
• Negotiating alone time and shared time.
• Responding when communication styles clash.

Everyday life

• Ordering food or coffee when there is a long line.
• Asking for help in a shop or service environment.
• Dealing with people who are unexpectedly rude.

Respecting Autistic Identity

SpringSocial does not treat autism as something to be fixed. Many autistic traits are strengths in the right environment. The app assumes:

• You are the expert on your own needs and limits.
• You decide which situations are worth adapting for (for example, a job interview or key relationship).
• Masking can be exhausting, so strategies should be used intentionally, not all the time.

The goal is to give you options and language you can use when you choose, and leave it up to you how closely you want to follow typical social expectations.

Using the App Alongside Other Supports

Many autistic adults use a mix of supports: peer groups, coaching, occupational therapy, psychotherapy or mentoring. SpringSocial can sit alongside these as a self-paced practice tool. You can:

• Practise a scenario related to a real situation you’re preparing for.
• Note down responses that feel like “you”, not a script.
• Discuss those options with a trusted friend, partner or professional if you want another perspective.

SpringSocial itself does not provide diagnosis, therapy, crisis support or medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions