It’s a common trait that many people with autism take information or phrases at face value or in a literal sense. This is present in multiple social interactions but most notably in situations involving romance. The entertainment industry has plenty of stories within fiction and reality relating to the subject of romance, courtship, and love. But, how much media can we find that relates to neurodivergent individuals? How about celebrating this month of love by delving into some love stories?

How it is portrayed in Media

Accurately portraying autistic characters in movies and TV and movies has come a long way in recent years. Few fictional media have focused on the romantic aspect of these characters, but one series comes to mind. In the series Heartbreak High a character called Quinni has received praise for their portrayal of autism. Not only does the show present autistic traits accurately but when the character is in a relationship it’s shown realistically. An article on “Thinking autism guide” goes into greater detail regarding the character’s romantic life.

One of the most well-known media related to this topic is love-on-the-spectrum. A review on Allison Wall summarizes many opinions about the show and its depictions of the love life of autistic people. The reality show features many individuals with different levels of autism and how they interact. Many of the couples communicate with one another to make their feelings clear and avoid miscommunication.

Missing the Star Signs

Plenty of actors who are on the spectrum have found love their way and are open about it. However, to avoid speculating about specific elements of celebrities’ personal lives, we’ll look into more positive stories.

Dan Aykroyd, an actor with mild Tourette’s syndrome and high-functioning Asperger’s is one example. He and Donna Dixon had been married for nearly 39 years and have 3 daughters. Although they separated in 2022, they are still legally married and are still great friends and partners in business and parents.

Another example worth bringing up is Amy Schumer and her husband Chris Fischer. Chris was

diagnosed with autism later in life, around the time he and Amy got married in 2018. In her Netflix special, she goes into detail about their mutual love, respect,t and plans for the future.

Closing Thoughts/Conclusion

Many obstacles come with starting a relationship with anyone with a disability, visible or not. When it comes to people on the spectrum, for example, the main priority is clear communication and understanding. What these stories we’ve learned today are examples of them overcoming such obstacles. Just as love comes in many forms, just like an individual’s disability.

Read More From The Able Show Contributors.

Sources:

https://graziamagazine.com/articles/amy-schumer-reveals-husband-chris-fischer-has-autism