WeAreAutism.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Autism

Seth

I am 28 years old, yet I have had virtually no experience in terms of dating and relationships. Often I don't know what to say to girls or how to go from "can I buy you a drink" to "are you interested in me". Sex is something that is on my mind a lot, yet I have no idea if anyone would like to have a relationship with me. I often get very paranoid about what people are thinking, I can't read the body langauge that most people find re-assuring. I probably come across as a dork or too needy.

43 months ago

Amanda

Every time I have had a relationship (two of them) I get dumped because the guys cannot handle my disabilties (autism, bipolar and fibromyalgia are the three main ones). Often, I don't get out because of social anxiety due to not knowing what to say or do, so I am stuck in my apartment and online. Finding a guy that way is difficult.

43 months ago

Randall

I have never been able to develop a relationship, because of social interaction and my lack of knowledge to read social cues and body language. 

43 months ago

Sonia

hmmm... i smell love in the air!!! :)

43 months ago

Kevin

I've been in several relationships, with a 100% failure rate.  I tend to misread people, to fall too hard too fast, and I've been abused physically and mentally...

They say there's someone for everyone, and as mad as I am with my man right now, I do believe that (although I didn't believe that for a lot of years, since my first man died when I was very young).

I  don't think I'd date again if Jamie dies before I do.  If we break up, I'm surely done.

But I always was kind of a skank biscuit :)

Kev :)

43 months ago

Brent

Having Autism makes it harder, but you also tend to be able to weed people out, as it were.

The people who can't deal with your "disabilities"? Well, they'll be gone in due time, so screw 'em.

But if you find a person who CAN deal with you, and still sticks around, despite the hardships involved?

Well then, that's the stuff that legends are made of.  =P

43 months ago

Amanda

Yeah, too bad there aren't many guys or any as far as I know who can deal with them (I may be a bit bitter)

43 months ago

Kevin

Brent,

My experiences have involved being taken advantage of as well.  I've gotten considerably better aboot it, but I historically have been quite gullible, and it's cost me a lot in money, and feelings.

The ex of mine that introduced me to Star Trek: Voyager told me I was borg and therefore shouldn't have feelings...

It's sad.

Kev :)

43 months ago

Heather

I am not autistic but I know in the case of my brother he's 18 and wants to be in a relationship but finds it hard to talk to girls he is very open and funny once he gets to know someone but he is really shy at first. I want him to be happy and he talks about girls and wanting to be with them I want to help him but I honestly wouldn't know what to do to help him. I just thought about taking him out I took him to his semi formal and encouraged him to ask girls to dance because he loves to dance but I think he is insecure. It can be hard:(

43 months ago

Terry

I haven't dated in more than a decade (by choice, mostly).  I realized a long time ago that my own ignorance was the source of a lot of the hardship, so I just decided to stop inflicting myself upon anyone.  Now that I have a diagnosis and have read about working longterm relationships, I figured I'm better prepared than ever before, but my own willingness to date is still a barrier.

My first attempt at dating (at age 19) was a complete disaster.  It turned out to be someone who was a compulsive liar, and I was very poorly equipped to deal with (or even recognize) such issues.  Even when other people told me, "I think he has a problem with lying," I still couldn't quite comprehend what was happening.  I believe that being taken advantage of is definitely an issue for people on the spectrum.

My longest relationship (1.5 years) ended soon after we took a holiday around lots of other couples.  I at least had the good sense to recognize my own shortcomings and I told him specifically, "It's like everyone else knows what they're supposed to do but I still don't."  I made one last attempt at a relationship after that (lasted 1 year) and then gave up.  That was about 11 years ago now.

42 months ago