Romance & Autism

Romance comes with many exciting moments and navigating the dating game can be challenging for anyone. But there are additional complexities experienced by people with ASD that make dating and relationship building even more overwhelming. We have compiled some tips that may be helpful to you as you navigate romantic relationships.  

Autism & Dating-Practical Tips for Parents: https://autismspectrumnews.org/autism-and-dating-practical-tips-for-parents/ 

Dating During a Pandemic: https://paautism.org/resource/dating-pandemic/ 

Dating and Relationships (Autism Launchpad): http://www.autismlaunchpad.org.au/social/romance-and-dating/ 

Dating and Relationships (ARC AutismNow): https://autismnow.org/at-home/relationships/dating-and-relationships/ 

Dating on the Autism Spectrum-Notes for Neurotypical Partners: https://opendoorstherapy.com/dating-on-the-autism-spectrum-notes-for-neurotypical-partners/#:~:text=Romantic%20relationships%20can%20be%20difficult,autism%20crave%20intimacy%20and%20love. 

Hiki: Hiki is a friendship and dating app for the Autistic community. It is a place to feel safe, find friendship or love, and most importantly, to be yourself. (iOS and Android) https://www.hikiapp.com/ 

PEERS® for Dating- https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers/peers®-dating

Printable Guide to Romantic Relationships: https://pathfindersforautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Romantic-Relationships.pdf 

Respectful Romantic Relationships for Autistic Teens: https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/communicating-relationships/romantic-relationships/respectful-relationships-for-teens 

Romance 101-Dating for Adults with ASD: https://www.carautismroadmap.org/romance-101-dating-for-adults-with-asd/ 

Romantic Relationships and Feelings for Autistic Teens: https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/development/sexual-development/romantic-relationships-feelings-autistic-teenagers 

15 Tips for a Successful Date (ASDNext): https://asdnext.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Dating-Resources.15TipsForSuccessfulDate-min.pdf 

Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships Social Story: https://paautism.org/resource/be-safe-healthy-vs-unhealthy-relationships-social-story/ 

How to Ask Someone on a Date (ASDNext): https://asdnext.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Dating-Resources.HowToAskSomeoneOnADate-min.pdf 

How to Tell if a Girl is Flirting with You: https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-a-Girl-Is-Flirting-With-You 

Online Dating (ASDNext): https://asdnext.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Dating-Resources.OnlineDating-min.pdf 

Romantic Relationships Social Story: https://paautism.org/resource/relationships-social-story/ 

Verbal and Non-Verbal Conversation Cues: https://paautism.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Verbal-and-nonverbal-cues-draft.pdf 

Accepting Rejection (UCLA PEERS Group): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sJav7mXiIo&ab_channel=CompanionWebsites 

Dating 101 (Organization for Autism Research): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-oZvLnfQm8&ab_channel=OrganizationforAutismResearch  

Dating Etiquette (UCLA PEERS Group): https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers/resources/role-play-videos?page=2 

 How to Flirt and Get a Date (Autism Talk TV): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIqFrbgBEQY&t=7s&ab_channel=WrongPlanet 

Turning Someone Down (UCLA PEERS Group): https://www.semel.ucla.edu/peers/video/turning-someone-down-good-example 

Autism Society Options Policy

This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.

All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.