Adult, Autistic and in Love

Parents of children on the spectrum spend more time than many parents worrying about what lies in their children’s future. We all worry about jobs, economics, relationships, education — but parents of children with autism worry about those things on a more basic level. For many, it’s not “will my child get a good job” but “will my child be able to hold any job?” Not “will my child have a happy relationship” but “is there any kind of romantic partnership in my child’s future?”

Navigating Love and Autism” profiles a young couple working their way into a happy, healthy relationship, Asperger’s syndrome and all. The young man was diagnosed early and has a father who also has Asperger’s. The young woman (both are college students) found her diagnosis after they met. They share an apartment and a difficulty reading social cues typical of those with the syndrome, and now they share relationship advice and their own difficulties with other young adults whose disorders make dating a particular challenge.

Read their story, and come back to comment. Do you watch a teen on the autism spectrum navigate the dating world, or worry about your adult children? How can parents help?