Understanding Autistic Relationships Across the Lifespan: Family, Friends, Lovers and Others

Understanding Autistic Relationship Across the Lifespan is an overview of autistic relationships from the early years to old age. The book combines the latest research findings with first-hand accounts to offer insight into the relationships of autistic people and how they differ to those of non-autistic people. Felicity Sedgewick and Sarah Douglas delve into life's stages and their challenges, revealing how navigating relationships can lead to misunderstandings, rejection, and trauma—but also to genuine connection, support, and joy. Illustrated throughout with extracts from interviews and extended narratives, it explores key topics, including relationships in the early years, childhood friendships, teenage friendships and romance, adult romantic and sexual relationships, LGBTQ+ relationships, finding community, family relationships, and issues in the later stages of life. The authors explore a wide range of emotions and life situations, examining the social world of autistic people and the strategies they use to navigate it. This book offers practical recommendations for both autistic and non-autistic people on how to have the healthiest and most satisfying relationships possible. It is essential listening for all those working with autistic people and studying autism, as well as autistic individuals and those close to them.