Can you tell us a little bit about the autism spectrum?
Children and adults on the autism spectrum have challenges with communication. For one, children don’t know how to read body language. Reading emotions is very challenging with an autism spectrum diagnosis. Lack of social skills can lead to dating challenges. Often, adults with autism have challenges reading facial expressions accurately. Without social skills, an adult with autism may naturally isolate or withdraw. A person with autism may find them selves playing video games in a room of people. And, they may not know how to start a new conversation with anyone at the party. Or, instead of going to a party and socializing, a person with autism will choose to draw alone. Often, people with autism don’t naturally socialize and may need extra encouragement to do so.
Living with autism spectrum disorder means difficulty with social interactions and obsessive interests.
Adults with autism spectrum disorder have troubles with peers, who in contrast, thrive in a world of dating. Some people with autism go through their entire adult life uninterested in romance or dating. On the other hand, others with autism are very interested in sex, dating, and romantic relationships. If you are interested in confidently dating with autism, Wisdom Within Counseling in Old Saybrook, Ct can help.
If you are a parent of an adult with autism, click the pink button below to begin with a free 30-minute phone consult.
Certain obsessive interests can make having a conversation that flows and making friends very difficult.
For instance, an adult with autism may love Disney characters. But, every conversation they have must include Disney characters. And, conversations without Disney characters cause this person to not want to talk, or become irritated. Despite age, this person may have Disney character bedsheets, notebooks, and Disney pencils. Without realizing it, every conversation becomes fixated on Disney. Therapy supports positive conversations and healthy social skills.
How does autism spectrum disorder impact dating?
Now, children and adults with autism benefit from counseling to learn social skills. And, from starting counseling at a young age, children can be prepared for teen years. Being on the autism spectrum poses dating challenges when social skills are trying to be learned as an adult. Adults with autism also benefit from relationship, couples, and marriage counseling. Counseling provides a safe place to learn healthy social-emotional skills.
Over time, from counseling, children and adults with autism spectrum disorder can develop positive relationships with others.
Also, at Wisdom Within Counseling in Old Saybrook, Ct, walking therapies and yoga therapy offer support for body-spacial awareness. People with autism may also experience and demonstrate repetitive behaviors. Under stress, and with anxiety, these behaviors may increase. Negative behaviors may include skin picking, nail-biting, scab picking, and hair pulling. For some, these repetitive behaviors can be difficult for family members and friends to connect. Getting therapy for ASD sooner than later is very helpful when it comes to autism spectrum and dating challenges.
What are some challenges for people who are on the spectrum in dating? Any other tips?
Low self-worth can be a great topic to discuss in therapy for autism spectrum and dating challenges. So, next time you compare yourself to someone else, remember you are unique. Don’t compare yourself to others who don’t have autism spectrum disorder. Be patient with yourself and seek therapy to learn skills to improve your frustration tolerance. Remember you are attractive, healthy, and there is someone out there who wants to date you! At times, negative thinking patterns can lead to discouraging feelings. Then, the self-imposed negative beliefs are partly what continue autism spectrum dating challenges. Finally, always think positively and believe that a relationship is possible for you.
To begin, click the pink button below for a free phone consultation for learn more about overcoming social anxiety and building positive relationships.
When it comes to the autism spectrum and dating challenges, Wisdom Within Counseling near Old Saybrook, Ct helps with teaching positive social skills.
Lack of conversational skills pose a big hurdle. Seeking therapy for dating challenges and being on the autism spectrum is a sign of strength! You and your therapist can walk through role-play scenarios for social confidence. Be proud of who you are. Also, on a date or meeting a new friend, share that you are on the spectrum. If you are just learning about your diagnosis of autism, share it with friends and family and normalize it. You are not to blame for your autism and neither are your parents. So, embrace who you are! To add, let your date or friends know it might take you longer to think or respond verbally when you are anxious socially because you get “brain freeze”. Just like a person with diabetes might decline cake, share that you’re working on improving your social connections.
How can teenagers and adults on the autism spectrum overcome dating challenges in counseling?
To continue, don’t only seek a romantic relationship. Yes, you may desire a relationship, but start where you are. For instance, go on a dating app and just have fun meeting new people. Try texting someone new and try replying to their response. Get social with all types of people. Perhaps, it is scary and at first, and you are afraid.
In therapy for ASD, you can discuss and work through these social fears and social anxiety.
Set goals for yourself to grow! Message a new person once a week on a dating app. And, don’t wait for them to message you first. Also, just get out there and make a point to meet up with a new person on a dating app every Friday for a month. Lastly, it will be new, awkward, and unfamiliar, but commit to the process.
How can working with a therapist in Old Saybrook, Ct help with autism spectrum and dating challenges?
Furthermore, talking with a therapist can be a great escape from work and family. Plus, you can learn skills to have conversations with new people confidently. In counseling, you can talk about your goals, fears, and worries around dating. With autism spectrum disorder, it is normal to feel social anxiety around new people. In therapy, openly to start working on your fears and frustrations with a professional counselor. From there, a person with autism can have a tool box to take into their social world.
If you are a parent of an adult with autism, click the pink button below to begin with a free 30-minute phone consult for social-emotional confidence.
What does it mean to be asexual?
For some, asexual can mean non-sexual. Sometimes, people on the autism spectrum feel adverse to touch and are asexual. Essentially, it is normal for some people on the autism spectrum to not like hugs and not want to touch. So, common acts of holding hands feel invasive. At times, a person may remain in a childlike state with autism and never date. On the other hand, some adults with autism spectrum disorder have sexual urges.
Do some adults with autism want romantic relationships?
Yes, sometimes, people with autism crave sexual expression and romance. And, due to the lack of social connections, they take part in high risk sexual behaviors for pleasure. For some, this choice is based on curiosity about sex and the urge to have sex. When you have autism, you may wonder how to have sex, if it feels very hard to even have a simple conversation with a date. And, wanting a healthy, nurturing, romantic relationship is a normal desire.
You might think paying for sex is the only way to have sex, if you can’t meet people. However, therapy can be a great way to think flexibly and think outside the box. Paying for sexual experiences is illegal and high risk. Therapy can help you find healthy ways to cope with stress and loneliness. Lastly, therapy can help people with autism who currently take part in high risk sexual behaviors find healthy relationships.
How can PTSD complicate dating with autism?
PTSD can complicate dating. For one, going out of the house with PTSD can feel very challenging. And, there might be PTSD triggers at a dinner table or with the music that is being played. So, going to counseling can help you find ways to manage your PTSD and autism together.
Skills for self-soothing, relaxation, and mindfulness meditation are helpful for PTSD and autism spectrum disorder in therapy.
At Wisdom Within Counseling, holistic, positive coping tools support PTSD recovery. Additional life events, like loss of a loved one/parent/sibling, can complicate making social connections in adults with autism.
Is there a cure for autism?
Now, there is no cure for autism, but early therapies can really help with development. For children, using social skills-training from a toddler age can help with autism symptoms. Parenting therapy can help prevent parent burnout and exhaustion. Family therapy and sibling therapy can help families understand autism symptoms. Lastly, various symptoms like impaired social interaction, communication problems, and repetitive behaviors may never go away, but may decrease with therapy.
