From Friendly to Friends: The Friendship Skills Nobody Taught Us with Caroline Maguire, ACCG, PCC, M.Ed

It is a myth that friendship “should be easy.” Traditional friendship advice may not have worked for you because it did not keep your neurology in mind.

Many ADHD and neurodivergent adults long for close, reliable friends but feel stuck in the same painful patterns: oversharing with people you barely know, over investing in acquaintances who never really become “your people,” or rushing into intense friendships that quickly fizzle and leave you wondering what you did wrong. You may find yourself replaying conversations, assuming you were “too much,” or deciding it’s safer to pull back altogether. These aren’t personal failings. They’re often the natural result of ADHD-related social executive function challenges, rejection sensitivity, and years of confusing or painful social experiences.

Caroline will also talk about how to put parts of friendship on “autopilot” by using reminders, routines, and templates so it takes less executive function to keep connections alive. You’ll leave with a kinder lens on yourself and a realistic plan to create friendships that fit your brain, your energy, and your life, whether you are rebuilding a social world after burnout or cautiously ready to try again.

Learning Objectives:

• Use the 3 Ps (Participation, Practice, and Perspective) as a step-by-step framework to slowly build trust and connection over time
• Pace new friendships so you don’t rush in, overshare, or burn out, while still getting the closeness you crave
• Create realistic friendship habits (check-ins, follow-ups, “flavors” of friendship, low-pressure contact) that keep relationships going without overwhelming your executive function or emotional bandwidth