Autism Spectrum Dating
Love is a Spectrum…
“Love is neither visible, measurable, there’s no way to quantify it.”
Deepening the connection: Service Delivery
The “Dating Game” is somewhat of an appropriate term in the sense that there are rules, glitches, levels, wins and losses. Sometimes it’s fun and fulfilling, other times it’s completely frustrating. However, unlike a “game,” the journey to find a compatible partner is real, and the impacts on our lives and those of others are more lasting. We cannot necessarily “repeat” or get a “do over,” but we can start fresh with each opportunity, and practicing often improves our ability to connect more deeply to other individuals. It certainly takes patience, but we slowly grow in our self-efficacy, or skills, and each opportunity deepens our understanding of who we truly are.
Speak Out Services intends to support individuals in further developing these communication skills:
Arranging a date, including determining location, time, atmosphere, etc.;
Using social media responsibly and safely to connect with others for potential dating;
Improving “first date” concepts, such as greetings, conversation flow, and follow up;
Self-reflection, including partner-preferences; and,
Finding common interests and balance between differences.
Other areas that Autistic individuals may find communication support is needed:
Expressing gender identity, both verbally and non-verbally;
Expressing sexual orientation and preferences;
Improving communication skills for self-advocacy related to gender expression, indicating sexual orientation, or “coming out,” to friends, families and co-workers; and,
Vocal therapy, or establishing an authentic, comfortable, and safe communication style that aligns with a persons overall identity (Hancock, 2015).
Although society’s perception of gender is influenced by both verbal and nonverbal communication factors: Articulation, loudness, speech rate, word choice, sentence structure, conversational discourse, facial experience, eye contact, gesture, posture, gait, and body movement, “There is no one universal model for a masculine or feminine presentation” (ASHA. 2021. Voice and Communication Services for Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations).
Pricing & Payments
Speak Out Services does not bill your private insurance or Medicaid. Payment is due at the time of services via cash, card, or check. An “insurance friendly” receipt, known as a superbill, will be provided upon request in order for you to seek potential reimbursement from your provider.
Speak Out Services references the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule to determine total cost of services. Just like establishing individualized treatment plans, billing will also reflect client-specific fees. However, transparency is key to building a trusting relationship. Before you agree to any services, you will know what the cost for any expected evaluative, therapeutic, or consultative services.
Facts as they relate to deepening connections….
According to DeWinter, et al. (2017), “A large percentage of adolescents and adults with ASD have romantic experience and feelings. However, a larger group of people with ASD compared to typical peers remains single and longs for a relationship.”
According to Strunz, et al. (2017), “Individuals with ASD often experience difficulties in maintaining romantic relationships.”
“73% indicated romantic relationship experience and only 7% had no desire to be in a romantic relationship.”
“ASD individuals whose partner was also on the autism spectrum were significantly more satisfied with their relationship than those with neurotypical partners.”
According to Griffiths, et. al (2019), “Autistic adults are more vulnerable to many different negative life events, including employment difficulties, financial hardship and domestic abuse.”
According to DeWinter, et al. (2017), “ Sexual orientation was more varied in ASD.”
According to Pecora, et al. (2020), “Autistic females present with greater diversity in their sexual identities than individuals without autism, with those with a homosexual orientation being at greater risk of experiencing adverse sexual encounters.”
“Autistic females were more likely to identify with a transgender identity and non-heterosexual orientation compared to non-autistic females.”
According to Moseley, et al. (2018), “Autistic girls struggle with managing conflict in relationships, and that social time is exhausting to them.”
References
Dewinter, J., De Graaf, H., & Begeer, S. (2017). Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Romantic Relationships in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 47(9), 2927–2934. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3199-9
Griffiths, S., Allison, C., Kenny, R., Holt, R., Smith, P., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2019). The Vulnerability Experiences Quotient (VEQ): A Study of Vulnerability, Mental Health and Life Satisfaction in Autistic Adults. Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research, 12(10), 1516–1528. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2162
Moseley, R. L., Hitchiner, R., & Kirkby, J. A. (2018). Self-reported sex differences in high-functioning adults with autism: a meta-analysis. Molecular autism, 9, 33. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-018-0216-6
Pecora, L. A., Hancock, G. I., Hooley, M., Demmer, D. H., Attwood, T., Mesibov, G. B., & Stokes, M. A. (2020). Gender identity, sexual orientation and adverse sexual experiences in autistic females. Molecular autism, 11(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13229-020-00363-0
Strunz, S., Schermuck, C., Ballerstein, S., Ahlers, C. J., Dziobek, I., & Roepke, S. (2017). Romantic Relationships and Relationship Satisfaction Among Adults With Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism. Journal of clinical psychology, 73(1), 113–125. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22319