Autistic and Dating: Struggles and Hopes

I'm 24 and only just getting into what could be my first relationship. It's been difficult, especially as I was only diagnosed autistic 2 years ago, but it's gotten easier now I know why I do/feel certain things. The guy I'm talking to atm is lovely and has been great about all of my conditions, including my autism, but he has an autistic family member so he has experience with it.

Yeah I've had three relationships and I'm 18, one was very short term and very crazy, another was two years long and the dude convinced me I had autism which was obvious because I'd go non verbal on him and all of everything else and another for a few months that was long distance and just faded away really but it was fine being in the relationships it's just now I'm single and I really don't know how to get into one ...

I'm 23 and I've been with 1 person. He's now my fiance and the father to my son. I've been quite lucky as he's the only person I feel comfortable being around. I used to mask with my family and friends, and when I met him, he was my safe space. The person I could 'unmask' in front of. He finds my autistic traits cute, and he's really supportive- knowing when to push me out of my comfort zone and knowing when to let me have some quiet time.

That sounds sucky. I've found it easier to date other autistics, it's just easier. But even with allistics there are understanding people. I like to get to the unmasking point early on, if that's a deal breaker for them then so be it.

For me, my relationship just kind of happened without me realizing it. Me and my partner are both Autistic though there's lots of understanding on both sides. We have been together for 3 years and 10 months now. I found my partner on TikTok, I just sent a weird video to her and she responded and we talked through there, 5 months later she asked if we were dating. I asked if she wanted too. We both talked about our feelings and communicated about what we both wanted and now we are dating. We both rely heavily on communication and it works out wonderfully.

Sadly, people who take dating seriously seem really hard to find. I've had my share of emotionally immature boys not realize what they were getting into. I hope that you find someone who can handle a relationship if that's what you want ❤️

Honestly I think with my past experiences my experience has always been a better one when my partner has also been neurodivergent there is more understanding and the way conversation and things like that flow is completely different it just feels like less effort and less draining to not have to constantly attempt to explain cause they already get it ya know?

Find the person you don't want to or have to mold for, and who doesn't mold to you, and KEEP THEM!

I personally haven't dated in a while because it's just been to difficult for me.

Hi! I've continuously dated despite only just the last few weeks after lots of therapy that I'm autistic. I find it really hard but at least now I know why. I've been with my current partner for nearly 3 years and we have issues we're working through. The most difficult thing is alexithymia and emotional dysregulation. I can't handle changes in routine and he's an emergency services worker so there's a few changes. It's difficult but not impossible if you find someone who's worth the hard work 😊

I dated a lot of people. I’m currently in a serious relationship with my partner who I hope to spend the rest of my life with. When I was younger I didn’t like the idea of being alone so I’d jump from one person to the next but now I’m ok with being alone. I’m in the ballpark of around 12-15 partners since I was 14 I’m 21 now.

I dated and slept around a lot when i was younger…. The sleeping around was bc of mania (i also have severe bipolar 1) the girls i dated made fun of me also. Around 19 i took a break from dating. Then i became best friends with this girl i knew, and after several months she started dating me. She’s been with me through all my diagnoses and we’re married now. I found a good one 🥰 my advice: don’t settle for less than you deserve. Only date someone who you can talk about ANYTHING with. If you want a friend or just more advice, feel free to message me. 💜

I'm 30 and have had one, 1 year long relationships, loads of situationships. Dating is hard.