Autism Social Skills - Why is Dating an Important Skill?

Sometimes parents do not realize how important dating is to people with Autism. Because of difficulties in communication, sensory issues, or just plain oversight dating is overlooked. It is also a difficult and sometimes uncomfortable activity to deal with.

Dating is a special period in a teenager and young adult's life. If we remember back to our dating days we learned so much. We learned how to act with the opposite sex. We also learned how to be friends with both sexes on a deeper emotional level.

We also learned how not to act. If we did not know how to be polite we certainly learned then. We also learned how to be careful for a lot of reasons. Friends and family helped and of course teased us.

During this time of our life we also learned about our own bodies, especially the teenage years. Hopefully it helped us understand the changes going on.

Certainly this is as important for the teenager or the young adult with Autism. It might take a little longer for them to learn things. Their body is going to go through changes though. They will change whether we like it or not.

Of course we could let them experience the changes with out providing any information. We could let their body change without having the opportunity to learn and practice the skills that go along with dating. Unfortunately if we do, parents are in effect deciding their child will be by their selves in the years to come. We are also taking away the opportunity to let our child experience success in this area.

There are many curricula in school to teach our children about body changes. There are also curricula designed specifically for people with developmental disabilities like Autism. After some of this we can start to teach our children to notice and practice the skills needed to date.

All of the wonderful parts of dating will need to be taught. We will need to teach how to ask someone out. We will need to teach how to deciding where the couple will go. Another thing that will have to be discussed thoroughly is what to talk about on a date. Of course these are only a few of the parts that a teenager or young adult with Autism might need help with.

Each one of those things can be broken down into steps and the skills needed. Then those things can be taught. Of course like any other skill it will need to be taught and practiced and re-taught.