At Worldwide Autists, we strive to create a community that is safe, supportive, and genuine. As part of our efforts to maintain this environment, we ask all our members to display their real name when participating in our WhatsApp groups. This request is more than just a formality — it’s a crucial part of building trust and fostering authentic connections within our community. See also our Community Guidelines.
The responsibility we expect of you
Joining Worldwide Autists on WhatsApp is not just about accessing our spaces with individuals from different places; it’s about becoming part of a community that values each other. #
On other platforms where verification exists such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, our process requires you to not only confirm your identity but ensure your appearance remains the same throughout. This process helps us uphold the integrity of our community and an environment that feels safer for everyone involved.
Why we use your real name as our preferred option
Here’s why we believe displaying your real name is important:
It helps us to control spam because real names help us minimize the risk of spam messages which is something our community doesn’t want.
It helps you be true to yourself when you use your real name. It encourages everybody to show up as their true self and helps deepen connections and a more authentic experience for everyone.
We build trust, honesty, and integrity together. Trust is the foundation of our community and if we didn’t have that then our community would no longer exist. it becomes easier to build and maintain that trust.
Consistency is important for autistic individuals and any changes can be difficult. By maintaining a consistent display name, you help create a stable environment where members know who they are interacting with at all times.
It prevents confusion when we know who somebody is. If this was to change then members in the community will become quickly confused who they are talking to. Any changes you name to your display name can have a significant impact on others.
We only allow name changes under exceptional circumstances, such as a legal government name change or an official trading business name. If you prefer the freedom to change your name frequently, this might not be the right community for you.
A note on the upcoming WhatsApp feature
We are aware that WhatsApp is rolling out a new username feature. We will look to integrate it into our community to enhance consistency and clarity for our members. In the meantime, we ask that you continue using your real name or the one that you joined with.
