Hello all,

My partner has an adult child with SPD. He has done amazingly well considering how the public school system basically gave up on him and said he had no future. (I paraphrase.)

Thanks to tireless support from family and his own tenacity, he is currently carrying a 3.5 GPA in community college. Still things are a struggle for him.

He doesn't know anyone else with SPD. And he is not really interested in meeting anyone who does. He "can do this himself". Of course, none of us can do this ourselves. (I have been in a 12 step program for nearly forty years. I could never have done this by myself.)

When he isn't in school, nearly all of his time is spent with screens.

We know he wants to get a job, but it is a daunting task. Especially now.

He is a sweet, caring guy with tons of empathy, while still struggling with certain social cues. He feels very strong ties with family members and reaches out to them regularly through social media.

He often says he feels he is depressed. I can't really say, but to me it stems in part from him feeling stuck and not knowing how to kick start life given how overwhelming it all can seem.

My own experience with recovery tells me that meeting people who can share his story will be of great benefit. But he is reticent.

Any thoughts about safe, encouraging connections in the Portland area would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all.