Dating and Courtship Behaviors Among Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mogavero, Melanie Clark; Hsu, Ko-Hsin

doi:10.1007/s11195-019-09565-8

Cited by 17 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Common challenges to romantic relationships identified by autistic individuals and their families are consistent with this interpretation, and further include maintaining boundaries when pursuing a potential partner, engaging in inappropriate behavior (e.g., unsolicited undressing or masturbating in the presence of another person), lack of relationship education and knowledge, and reduced engagement in social opportunities (Hancock et al, 2017). Importantly autistic individuals report difficulties interpreting subtle, nonverbal cues and making small talk, which can further impact social access (Barnett & Maticka‐Tyndale, 2015; Mogavero & Hsu, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism

Yew

Samuel

Hooley

et al. 2021

Personal Relationships

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Autistic individuals report similar levels of interest in romantic relationships to their nonautistic peers but experience greater challenges with the initiation and maintenance of these relationships. This systematic review synthesizes the factors that contribute to romantic relationship initiation and maintenance among autistic individuals to inform relationship support programs. Both successes (e.g., ability to initiate relationships and maintain a satisfying relationship) and challenges (e.g., relationship dissatisfaction) were investigated. Out of 1403 potentially relevant articles, 11 articles comprising 13 studies met the inclusion criteria (investigated factor[s] of romantic relationship success of challenges, involved participants with a formal autism diagnosis and/or their partners, presented quantitative results in relationship factors, and was available in an English‐language version). Social and communication challenges were studied to the greatest extent and were associated with difficulties in both relationship initiation and satisfaction. Several factors relating to the partner of the autistic individual were associated with successful relationships, including reciprocal liking, partner support, and the ability to meet the autistic partner's needs. Conclusions are limited by the small number of studies but provide initial indications that social and communicative factors, as well as the role of nonautistic partners, are important to the success of romantic relationships for autistic individuals. In keeping in line with the community's preference for identity‐first language (i.e., “autistic individual” rather than “individual with autism”), this language has been used throughout this review.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism

Yew

Samuel

Hooley

et al. 2021

Personal Relationships

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…By middle adulthood, many individuals with ASD have experienced intimate relationships, and some have been married (Byers et al, 2013). Although social skills improve with age for many individuals with ASD (Mogavero & Hsu, 2019; Stokes, Newton, & Kaur, 2007), symptoms of ASD continue into middle adulthood (Hofvander et al, 2009) and can pose ongoing challenges to initiating and maintaining relationships.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Same-sex relationships of men with autism spectrum disorder in middle adulthood: An interpretative phenomenological study.

Hogan¹,

Micucci²

2020

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Researchers have reported a higher incidence of same-sex attractions among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but little is known about the sexual and intimate relationships of these individuals. In this study, 5 men in middle adulthood with ASD who acknowledged attractions to other men were interviewed and the interviews were analyzed utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes were identified. First, these men want and have had intimate and sexual relationships, and there is considerable diversity in the types of relationships they have experienced. Second, they have experienced challenges to initiating and maintaining these relationships. Third, they have struggled with integrating their sexual and autism identities. Fourth, they have experienced insufficient support from professionals and their communities. This study contributes to dispelling the myth that individuals with ASD do not desire intimate-partner relationships or are unable to sustain them. Public Significance StatementThis study found that men in middle adulthood who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and same-sex attractions can initiate and maintain satisfying and successful relationships with other men. However, these men might experience obstacles to meeting partners and might feel disconnected from other lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) individuals. The study highlights a need for professionals who are trained in both ASD and human sexuality to work with this population.

show abstract

“…For individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revised (DSM-5-TR ) characterizes as experiencing social and communication deficits and restricted, repetitive behaviors (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022), the challenges involved in dating and having a long-term committed relationship may be even greater than for the neurotypical population (Farley et al, 2017; Howlin & Moss, 2012). While most individuals with ASD desire a romantic relationship (Strunz et al, 2017), they may struggle with seeking and attaining a romantic relationship and engage in miscommunication and inappropriate communication or behaviors toward their romantic interests (Mogavero & Hsu, 2020).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking and Attaining Romantic Relationships: Counseling Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Noble,

Bueno,

Lourenco

et al. 2024

The Family Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Dating and Courtship Behaviors Among Those with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Cited by 17 publications

References 28 publications

A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism

A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism

Same-sex relationships of men with autism spectrum disorder in middle adulthood: An interpretative phenomenological study.

Seeking and Attaining Romantic Relationships: Counseling Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About