Dating a female with aspergers

Nancy Shute. You think it's romantic. She thinks it's creepy. Katherine Streeter for NPR hide caption. Dating isn't easy, and it's even less so when you've got Asperger's, an autism spectrum disorder that can make it hard to read social cues.

We respect your privacy. It takes a lot of work to make a marriage or other long-term relationship a success. It is considered a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. People with classic autism can have severe impairments in language development and the ability to relate to others. They have a hard time reading verbal and nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions, and may have trouble making eye contact. Lack of empathy is one of the most challenging problems for someone with Asperger's who is in a relationship, says Kathy Marshack, PhD , a psychologist in Vancouver, Wash.

The way to Paulette's heart is through her Outlook calendar. The former Miss America system contestant and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music-trained opera singer knew she had a different conception of romance than her previous boyfriends had and, for that matter, everyone else. The aspects of autism that can make everyday life challenging—reading social cues, understanding another's perspectives, making small talk and exchanging niceties—can be seriously magnified when it comes to dating. Though the American Psychiatric Association defines autism as a spectrum disorder—some people do not speak at all and have disabilities that make traditional relationships let alone romantic ones largely unfeasible, but there are also many who are on the "high-functioning" end and do have a clear desire for dating and romance. Autism diagnosis rates have increased dramatically over the last two decades the latest CDC reports show one in 50 children are diagnosed , and while much attention has been paid to early-intervention programs for toddlers and younger children, teens and adults with autism have largely been overlooked—especially when it comes to building romantic relationships.

Clinical experience has identified that the majority of such adolescents and young adults would like a romantic relationship. However, there is remarkably little research examining this aspect of autism spectrum disorders ASDs or strategies to facilitate successful relationships. Typical children do this naturally and have practised relationship skills with family members and friends someone many years before applying these abilities to achieve a successful romantic relationship. They also can have an extreme sensitivity to particular sensory experiences. To achieve a successful relationship, a person also with to understand and respect him- or herself.