Romantic relationships provide critical support for asperger's syndrome while also presenting unique challenges when asperger's syndrome is present.
How Asperger's Syndrome Affects Romantic Relationships
- Emotional availability may fluctuate with asperger's syndrome severity
- Intimacy — physical and emotional — is often reduced during asperger's syndrome episodes
- Communication deteriorates when asperger's syndrome is high
- Partners may feel helpless, resentful, or exhausted by asperger's syndrome
Building a Relationship Resilient to Asperger's Syndrome
The most resilient couples facing asperger's syndrome share these practices:
- Open communication: Talking about asperger's syndrome openly, including its effects on the relationship
- Educated support: The non-asperger's syndrome partner understands what asperger's syndrome is and isn't
- Shared language: Developed ways to communicate about asperger's syndrome states without drama
- Maintenance activities: Regular positive connection that doesn't depend on asperger's syndrome state
Couples Therapy for Asperger's Syndrome
When asperger's syndrome significantly affects the relationship, couples therapy provides a structured space to address both individual asperger's syndrome and relational dynamics simultaneously.