'Love on the Spectrum' shows what dating is like for people on the autism spectrum
Dating is hardly ever easy. Securing a date is just half the battle, the other half is showing up to the said date and charming your way onto the second date. There are so many unspoken rules when it comes to dating and honestly, it can be daunting. And if you are a person with special needs or on the autism spectrum, it would be an understatement to say that dating is hard.
Netflix's latest show 'Love on the Spectrum' follows a group of young adults who are on the autism spectrum, ranging from mild to moderately severe, and are keen on finding a partner for themselves. Everybody wants some love in their lives and these young adults are no different. But unfortunately, their limited social skills and difficulty with identifying emotions prove to be a bit of a roadblock when it comes to dipping their toes in the dating pool.
On the show, we see these young adults attending dating boot camps and seeking the help of experts to help them navigate the tricky world of dating. While it definitely makes for an interesting watch, it also emphasizes on how dating isn't all that different among people on the spectrum. They too experience a bundle of nerves before going on a date and even they are extremely conscious about not only pleasing their date but also not to upset them.
These young adults have their own set of rules when it comes to dating, ranging from guys have to pay the bill to being careful not to smother the other person. In one of the show's promotional clips we see the young adults sharing their dating rules. In the opening scene, we see one of them sharing how it is important to give your date a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates.
When we see the video, we might think that these rules are very obvious, but for a person on the spectrum, this is a learned behavior. They need to be taught on acceptable and unacceptable behaviors while on a date. For instance, one of the guys in the video explains how one should just stick to soda instead of alcohol during dates, because his cousin had a bad experience after consuming alcohol on a date. Another guy cautions not to be excited on a date. He then proceeds to explain how being very excited during a date can put the other person off.
The producers then ask these young adults if it's okay to make a move on the first date. The responses were so pure and wholesome that it will definitely move even the coldest of hearts. These young adults explain how you have to respect the space of the other person and take permission from them before making a move. The show highlights how even people on the spectrum long for love and companionship and are willing to put in the work to make it happen.
'Love on the Spectrum' is available for streaming on Netflix.