During this episode Dr. Claire Bates and Dr. Monique Huysamen share some of what they learned from autistic adults about their needs and desires regarding love, sex and intimate relationships.

Some of the topics discussed include:

Information about the project participants and the study purpose.

Understanding consent.

Lack of support regarding information on physical and sexual intimacy.

Awareness of sensory needs and sensitivities.

Sensory joy.

You don't have to share a bed or a house with your intimate partner.

The challenges of neuronormative ways of flirting and dating.

Indirect and ambiguous ways of connecting.

Having frank conversations about needs and desires.

Dating services for neurodivergent adults (www.SafeSoulmates.org in the UK)

Understanding boundaries.

Having a safe space that is autistic led and informed to talk about these issues.

Having time to prepare to discuss sex and physical intimacy with mental health and healthcare providers.

The impact of alexythymia.

May need more time to discuss needs and boundaries.

Toolkits available on physical and sexual intimacy.

Policy work being done in the UK on these topics.

If you would like to learn more about the "Supporting Autistic Adults Intimate Lives" project and the resources that Monique talked about you can go to: www.autlives.com

If you would like to contact Claire her e-mail is: [email protected] or you can learn more about her work at: www.supportedloving.com.uk

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If you would like to buy a digital deck of the "Neurodiverse Love Conversation Cards", or the recently released "Neurodiverse Love Conversation Card Workbook", or you want to subscribe to the Neurodiverse Love newsletter, or get more information about the support groups that Mona facilitates for neurodiverse couples, or the neurotypical/non-autistic partners, check out her website at: www.neurodiverse love.com, or send her an email at: [email protected]

Thank you for being part of the Neurodiverse Love community!