Can teens and adults with AS form successful romantic relationships?
Romance, dating, long-term relationships and marriage play a role in the lives of some people with Asperger Syndrome, and of these, many start their own families and become successful parents. Dating presents challenges for many with AS because it involves subtle social communication and requires one partner to “experience” the other’s experiences, areas of frequent difficulty for the AS population. Also, dating and relationships may feel exhausting because they typically require so much frequent socialization. For these reason, some with AS decide that intimate relationships are too complex and demanding for them. Others, however, simply take on the relationship challenge later in life (in their 30’s, or even later). Sexual orientation is as varied in people with AS as in the general population, although there may be a higher incidence of asexuality, homosexuality, and sexual role confusion among those with AS. The overall success of an Asperger partnership depends in part on the choi
