What do you know about people with Asperger Syndrome (also called Asperger’s Syndrome, or AS)? Most likely your impressions come from movies and television programs that feature such individuals, sometimes realistically but sometimes simply for the entertainment value of watching someone who appears normal grapple with common human experiences.
First, people with AS tend to be much more sensitive than portrayed, they simply may not express it. They also may not always understand another person’s sensitivity. That means there are two potential sources of conflict when it comes to feelings. In an intimate relationship, both the person with AS and the partner (sometimes called the “neurotypical partner” or NT) may grapple with feeling misunderstood and unloved.
Second, these misunderstandings can extend into the bedroom. People with AS sometimes have sensory difficulties that can make their touch feel too rough to their partner. They may also have difficulty knowing how their touch may be perceived as being uncomfortable or even “robotic” to their partner. Third and finally, they frequently lag behind peers in social development, by the time they are emotionally ready to be in a committed relationship, they may have had little or no sexual experience.
On Monday, December 9 from 3 pm to 4 pm PST I will be presenting a webinar on Sexuality and the Asperger Marriage. Participants will earn 1 continuing education unit of credit. The Buehler Institute is approved as a continuing education provider by the American Psychological Association, California BBS, and the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. You can find out more and register today by visiting The Buehler Institute’s distance learning page.