Dating someone with autism

Hello- I find myself here so that I can hopefully become a better partner. I recently started seeing someone who disclosed that he has autism. I feel completely lost at what to say, do or ask. I want to be supportive but I’m so afraid of accidentally hurting. I made a brief comment that I intended to be very supportive in saying I have friends with autism, and my original intent in getting my degree was to provide support to those with developmental delays, especially those with autism. My phrasing must have been all wrong because he became very upset with me and said I sounded condescending and predatory. I by no means believe that i must “fix” him. If anything I feel I have so much to learn from him! I don’t want to risk saying something harmful again. I’m open to ANY advice or suggestions! Thank you! K

Parents Reply Children
  • I think you mean to say is how mature is he. 

    If I use this same phrase, how bad do they have it, regarding a Neurotic (J. Lacan) as a clinical term for neuro-typical, I might mean how competitive are they. Or how paranoid are they. How much phantasy do they need you to comply with before they throw a tantrum.

    However, when Neuro-typicals say this about Autistic individuals, the implication here is, How traumatised are they. How abandoned have they been. How much growth and kindness have they not been shown/taught.  

  • Autism does not have a sliding scale of severity. The impact of autism on each person is individual and unique, which is why it is classified as a 'spectrum condition'.