Why I Share I'm Autistic on Online Dating Profiles

I’ll be going out on a date soon. I really dislike dating because it generally feels like an interview. I feel like I must make eye contact, be “bubbly,” ask a lot of intriguing questions, and more. I wish dating could be skipped altogether and that one and another could just automatically be part of each other’s routines as if they had been for years. Who am I kidding, though? There are some things set up by society that must be endured.

I met this person online and he already knows I’m autistic. You see, recently, I decided to state clearly on my online profile that I have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Why? Well, it may give a potential neurotypical partner a chance to do a little research on the topic. Or, it may even attract other autistic people. ASD impacts every part of my being. If someone has an issue with that, I’d rather they not “apply.”

So, will I have to make constant eye contact when I meet this potential partner? I shouldn’t have to because many people with ASD have issues with eye contact (I am one of them), and hopefully he has done a little research or already knows that. Will I have to be “bubbly”? No, I shouldn’t have to because I am not that kind of person. I have a flatter affect and may not fit the stereotype of a neurotypical female… because I’m not. I have my own personality and way of expressing myself.

I’m so glad I decided to state the status of my neurotype online. It means I can be myself and not worry about “faking it until I’m making it.” That’s not for me, and never will be.

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