Love, Partnership, or Singleton on the Autism Spectrum

by Luke Beardon (Editor), Dean Worton (Editor), Wenn Lawson (Contribution by), Tracy Turner (Contribution by), Alex Wilkinson (Contribution by)

Overview

In an immensely varied and thoughtful collection of true life reflections on love, marriage and the single life, 26 authors with autism share their experiences and knowledge about successful (and unsuccessful) relationships. Digging deep into the many and varying ways in which autism affects feelings and relationships with others, these honest and intelligent testimonies give the insider's perspective on love on the spectrum. Whether you're a serial dater, hopelessly romantic or happily single, these perceptive and often funny explorations shows how to make good choices, surmount bad ones, and live a good life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785922060
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	01/19/2017
Series:	Insider Intelligence
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Luke Beardon, PhD is Senior Lecturer in Autism at The Autism Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK. Dean Worton has Asperger Syndrome, and runs a successful website that supports adults with AS in the UK. He hosts meetings for its members, and works as a technical officer in the public sector.

Table of Contents

Foreword. Luke Beardon. 1. Different Loves for Different Folks. Wenn Lawson. 2.Knowing, Being, Living : I Am One. Tracy Turner. 3. Man in Progress. Alex Wilkinson. 4. A Marriage of Two Halves. Sandra Beale-Ellis. 5. Learning to Adapt to a Different Type of Relationship. Joseph Edmonds. 6. True Love, Finding Someone Special Enough to Deserve Me. Lynette Marshall. 7. Benefits and Drawbacks of Relationships in a Different Culture to One's Own. Freddie. 8. Meeting the Train. Alyssa Aleksanian. Appendix 8a. 'Do You Come with Instructions?' Alyssa Aleksanian. 9. Learning From Failed Relationships and Overcoming Sexual Obsession. David Walsh. 10. The Infatuation that Almost Killed Me. Anthony Sclafani. 11. A Relationship is Not a Hobby. It's a Full-time Commitment, Like it or Not! Norman Bridge. 12. Accepting Each Other (AKA Chapter Twelve). Alexandra Brown. 13. How to Build and Maintain an Intimate Relationship. Dr Christopher Wilson. 14. Thoughts From a Late-diagnosed Aspie... and From Her Husband Too.... Joanna Treasure. 15. What Makes an Individual the Right Partner? Lacey Kerr. 16. Finding Out That the Two of Us Share a Place on the Spectrum. C.A. Smart. 17. Welcome to Planet PJ. P.J. Hughes. 18. Will I Get it Right Next Time? Philip Bricher. 19. 'Doing Social' - Every Old Sock Meets a New Shoe. David Smith. 20. Happily Married on the Spectrum. Paul and Elizabeth Wady. 21. Anniversary Flowers - It's the Thought That Counts. Jules. 22. Love (and Sex) is Just a Game. Gwen Greenwood. 23. Relationships - Sublime or Ridiculous? Atul Movelis. 24. Intimate Relationships - Head or Heart? A. Nonny Mouse. 25. Kissing the Frog. Chris Stobart. 26. An Aspie Accord. Planet Autism.

Editorial Reviews

Love, Partnership and Singleton on the Autism Spectrum highlights the various joys, intricacies and challenges experienced by many on the spectrum in relationships. Featuring the experiences and views of those in relationships, some seeking partnership and individuals who choose to remain single, it asserts the right of autistic people to define our own contentment. Uplifting, thought-provoking and in places challenging, this book will undoubtedly lead to a general re-evaluation of long-held perceptions of relationships and what makes them work.

Dean Beadle

When giving adults a diagnosis of autism, one of the first and ongoing issues for them involves initiating and maintaining social relationships. I could not convey the levels of diversity or the various creative means of managing social relationships until this book was written. Thankfully I now have this excellent and engaging resource to offer the autistic people I meet. I am confident this positive take on relationships will become a well-thumbed addition to my library!

E. Veronica (Vicky) Bliss

The desire to achieve a lasting and mutually fulfilling relationship can be very strong in someone with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, there may be significant challenges in finding a partner and maintaining the relationship. While we have considerable literature on the perspective of the partner who does not have an ASD, we have remarkably little on the perspective, experiences and achievements of the partner with an ASD. The wisdom and advice in this insightful book will be invaluable for both partners and contribute greatly towards an understanding of relationships from the ASD perspective.

Tony Attwood

A brilliant collection of essays from autistic writers giving us personal insights into thoughts on relationship preferences and also valuable guidance for autistic people and those who love them. Demonstrating that autistic people often want to share their lives with others in a wide variety of set-ups, this book finally puts to bed the age-old myth of autistic people as isolated loners. The wonderful diversity of the autism population when it comes to choosing how to live and who with shines through.

Sarah Hendrickx