Aspergers Syndrome- Dating and establishing a relationship

This is difficult because it is what young people do. In an adult context such behaviour would constitute sexual harrassment - we are being told more and more what is politically correct. But of course it still happens. For teens and early twenties this is key formative social behaviour, and how are you meant to respond if not equipped to do so?

This does seem to be missing from preparation for life for young people on the spectrum.

I certainly remember when teens/twenties being approached in that way but I was sexually naive until late 20s, and did not understand what was going on. I would respond in a 'normal' friendly way, to the extent I was able. I simply didn't register the underlying intention. So I then got more labels for being distant, stand-offish or insensitive. I actually registered an unexpected popularity in such contexts, but I just thought someone was interested in me as a person. I also had to deal with other people's jealousy that I was having opportunities I didn't respond to.

There is however an important point here. If you do not have a good non-verbal social interface you are not therefore manifesting some of the perceived behaviours. You therefore come over as less threatening, nicer to be with seemingly, and interesting for being different. That will attract the opposite sex. But that fails to recognise an AS individual's disadvantages. I wonder how much knowledge teachers, college lecturers and teaching support staff of such potential misunderstandings.

This is difficult because it is what young people do. In an adult context such behaviour would constitute sexual harrassment - we are being told more and more what is politically correct. But of course it still happens. For teens and early twenties this is key formative social behaviour, and how are you meant to respond if not equipped to do so?

This does seem to be missing from preparation for life for young people on the spectrum.

I certainly remember when teens/twenties being approached in that way but I was sexually naive until late 20s, and did not understand what was going on. I would respond in a 'normal' friendly way, to the extent I was able. I simply didn't register the underlying intention. So I then got more labels for being distant, stand-offish or insensitive. I actually registered an unexpected popularity in such contexts, but I just thought someone was interested in me as a person. I also had to deal with other people's jealousy that I was having opportunities I didn't respond to.

There is however an important point here. If you do not have a good non-verbal social interface you are not therefore manifesting some of the perceived behaviours. You therefore come over as less threatening, nicer to be with seemingly, and interesting for being different. That will attract the opposite sex. But that fails to recognise an AS individual's disadvantages. I wonder how much knowledge teachers, college lecturers and teaching support staff of such potential misunderstandings.