Romance and Autism: Dating is more than possible for people with ASD
There is a common misconception that people with an ASD are not interested in relationships or romance. This simply isn’t true. While this population struggles with social skills and communication, this doesn’t equate with disinterest, even though the stress and sense of self-defeat may dissuade an autistic person from attempting romance. In a study done by Toronto’s Redpath Centre , just 32.1 percent of people with autism had had a partner and only 9 percent were married. This contrasts with the statistics of the general population where about 50 percent of adults are married.”
Romantic relationships are not addressed in transitional support plans from childhood to adulthood. Just because a person has autism doesn’t mean there is no desire for affection and intimacy. To learn more about romantic relationships and autism, check out the upcoming film Autism In Love due to be released in 2014. To read this article in its entirety, click here.
Links Disclaimer: Autism Awareness Centre believes that education is the key to success in assisting individuals who have autism and related disorders. While we do the best to ensure the accuracy of all information on our site, Autism Awareness Centre is not responsible for the accuracy and validity of the content linked to on external third party sites.
And being ‘happily’ married almost zero.
I saw 2 couples with autism got married, i want to know the chances of them not having an autistic children.
Rhoda, I don’t know the answer to that and I don’t think anyone does at this point in time. Here are couple of articles to read about genetics and higher risk factors – https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/bumper-scan-genomes-pinpoints-inherited-risk-factors-autism/ and https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/autism-runs-families-history-brain-conditions/ . My husband and I have only had autistic children and neither of us have autism. My brother’s children are fine with no diagnoses.
i have a austistic son i have not s een for over 2 and half years. i miss him we had a poor relationship when he was living at home with us
Paul, I am sorry that your relationship was not good with your son. Sometimes it’s about developing a better understanding of who your son is as a person and not wishing that he were different. There are so many positives of autism – https://autismawarenesscentre.com/the-positives-of-autism/ Positive relationships are also key to happiness and well being. I don’t think it’s ever too late to try and repair a relationship – https://autismawarenesscentre.com/how-important-are-relationships-in-the-lives-of-people-with-autism/
Stacy, I am currently engaged to a man with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We have been together for 8 1/2 years and I am certain that we will always be together. My fiancé was also emotionally neglected and that adds another layer to the already numerous difficulties in traversing a relationship between someone who is neuro-typical and someone who is not. I do not wish my fiancé were not on the spectrum. I love him for exactly who he is, but I did have to learn how to understand what was actually demonstrative of love and what we subconsciously expect as demonstrations of love or commitment. I would love to talk further about this if you would ever like to.
I think I am falling in love with an autistic man. Hes 43 and kind he’s been neglected so bad. His soul is good. I am looking for information on autism in adults cause sometimes its hard. Its not his fault I know this I can’t leave him behind and its not pity. I genuinely care for his well being.
Stacy, I am working on a presentation that is covering part of this topic. Here are some of the resources I gathered today:
Tips for Women in Relationships with Partners on the Autism Spectrum- https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/tips-for-women-in-relationships.html
Love, Romance and Relationships on the Spectrum – https://www.tiimoapp.com/blog/love-romance-relationship-on-the-spectrum/
Pathfinder for Autism – Romantic Relationships – https://pathfindersforautism.org/articles/social/pfa-tips-romantic-relationships/
Life on the Autism Spectrum – Love & Autism – https://healthtalk.org/life-autism-spectrum/love-autism – Series of short videos on different aspects of relationships
You may also find reading this book helpful – https://autismawarenesscentre.com/shop/asperger-syndrome-1/partners-guide-asperger-syndrome/
So theoretically, my chances of even finding a girlfriend are 1/3, and of being married are 9/100. Yikes.
Link to Study: http://www.community-networks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/march-14-2013-final-diversity-in-ontarios-youth-and-adults-with-asds-february-2013.pdf
Thank you for providing the study.
Remember it takes two parties to form a relationship, autism itself may not be the problem, ignorance on the other persons plays a part as well.
Hi! Do you happen to know what year the Redpath study was published? Thanks!
Mimi, I am not sure. I suggest that you send an e-mail to Redpath as they will be able to send you the study. Here is the link to their contact us page – https://redpathcentre.ca/contact-us/https://redpathcentre.ca/contact-us/
Hello. Could you please post a link to the Redpath study?
Robert, the link to the study when I originally wrote the article has been taken down. I suggest that you send an e-mail to Redpath as they will be able to send you the study. Here is the link to their contact us page – https://redpathcentre.ca/contact-us/