My partner has autism and we are struggling

Hello,

My girlfriend and I have been together for 4.5 years, we are engaged and in December she was diagnosed with autism, high-functioning.  She was 28 at time of diagnosis which hasn’t helped. 

I am a ‘neurotypical’ and I am trying to understand why she does certain things and sometimes I know I don’t react in the best way I possibly could, which is why I am turning to this site, in hope that there may be other partners out there that have coping strategies or can just help me to be better for her because currently it is quite lonely and sad and I feel like I’m suffocating a bit. It’s a heavy weight. 

I am reading ‘An Adult with an Autism Diagnosis’ by Gillian Drew in an attempt to be more understanding. 

I work away quite a bit as a Tour Manager, for musicians, which can make coping more difficult. For both of us. In August, I will be travelling around America for almost 7 weeks. Currently, I have been in Scotland for just ONE week and we have had an ‘autistic incident’. I don’t know how to refer to it, so apologies if I offend anyone. 

Emotions when touring are tenfold. 

Also, sometimes, when I return from a tour; it feels like I’m out of her routine a bit and she needs to readjust to my being there, which can be upsetting. 

If there are any books to be recommended, or other sites, I’d be truly grateful. 

Thank you in advance. 

Carly. 

Parents Reply Children
  • You don't want my advice.

    Perhaps it's the very thing you need to hear but don't want to.

    I have no crystal ball. But neither do you. 

    Just saying.

  • I really appreciate you taking the time to give such great responses. 

    Totally makes sense re cat and dog, that’s a really good to approach it. 

    Side note, I taught my (actual) cat to sit on demand though so... haha. 

  • Thanks for your reply.

    There’s a difference between being fed up and struggling, which is why I have reached out. Please don’t assume you know how I feel. 

    Have a great day. 

  • Ok I respect that. But I've  been on both sides of the normal/not normal situation, and  I can tell you that actually living with things day in day out is not the same as the romantic desire to do the right thing  by the person you hope is your soul mate. It's natural. But you do seem very fed up and you're not even married yet...

    Think.

  • "A Field Guide to Earthlings: An autistic/Asperger view of neurotypical behaviour" is good (the first few chapters are a bit hard going and the 'play' that runs though it is, frankly, weird - but it offers good insight.

    My psychologist suggested my wife read "The partner's guide to Asperger syndrome"... I started reading it and have stopped, it's pretty negative and I feel condescending to the ASD partner... it reads like "How to train your Aspie" not good.

    "Very Late Diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): How Seeking a Diagnosis in Adulthood Can Change Your Life" was also good (for me, diagnosed at 47) and I think would be more useful for my wife than the other one.

    One thing, I've spent the last couple of months saturated with ASD info - blogs, forums, books, YouTube... to the point I'm sick of it.

    I'd suggest just dip in and out, tackle one thing at a time - start with something like the 'Field guide' as it will probably make you realise how much stuff you take for granted that you do/know but that your partner just doesn't...

    With that fundamental understanding of the difference apply it to specific situations e.g. your being away and returning and how that affects her and her routines.

    I'm going to take a wild guess that when you get back you want smiles and hugs and putting everything 'on hold' while you reconnect... but she may not be that demonstrative and/or says "Welcome home" then goes out to some activity she previously had planned or otherwise doesn't give you the attention that you (as an NT) crave...

    You feel neglected and unloved and isolated and hurt

    "Why isn't she pleased to see me?"

    "Why is she going out to her book club - surely she could miss that for a week?"

    In reality NTs are more like a dog - practically passing out with happiness when their owner returns from being away for maybe all of 5 minutes, while aspies/auties are like a cat - their owner gets back from being stranded on a desert island for 6 months and they'll be "Oh, you're back... don't get sand in my fur. What's for dinner?" and if you hug & stroke them too much they may scratch you in annoyance with it being 'too much'...

    Sorry if this sounds a bit bleak, but it is.

  • That's the perfect foundation to start from. You just need to learn the 'how'. In the short term I recommend signing up to amazon kindle unlimited (it's free for 30 days!) and reading as much as you can. The books you like buy and highlight the parts that concern you the most. Talk through them with your partner and vice versa. 

    P.S if you come across a book titled 'Broken' avoid it. That is exactly the type of negativity I was referring to before. I can't recall the author's name, not that it's important...