Looking for advice on supporting my autistic ex-partner

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice and would really appreciate hearing from others who may have had similar experiences.

I’ve been caring for my ex-partner for the past 10 months following his late diagnosis of autism. We manage practical tasks quite well together, but we often struggle when it comes to understanding each other’s emotional needs and communication styles.

I’ve been trying my best to learn more about autism so I can better understand his perspective and support him in the way he needs. Despite this, we still sometimes end up having heated arguments. I find this heartbreaking because my intention is always to be supportive, and caring. When these disagreements happen, I can’t help but feel as though I’ve let him down.

I was wondering whether other carers have experienced similar challenges. Is it common to have misunderstandings or disagreements, even when you’re both trying your best? If so, what has helped you better understand the person you care for and improve communication? Are there any strategies or approaches that have made a real difference in preventing conflicts or de-escalating them when they arise?

I’d be very grateful for any advice or shared experiences. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

  • Hello Minal.

    One thing seems to be clear by what has been said, you are choosing to be there for somebody else under difficult circumstances whilst wanting to develop your understanding - you are certainly not letting anybody down here by being warm hearted.

    While I know that our community is sure to have some truly fantastic insight, in the meantime I would like to direct you to our NAS relating to understanding autism:

    What is autism

    I wish you the best of luck in developing your understanding - you are truly a kind person.

    Thanks - Zac Mod.