<\/p>\n
Global (15 April 2025) \u2014 <\/em>Under the advice of a friend, I recently sat down to learn what the hype surrounding Netflix’s \u2018Love on the Spectrum\u2019 was all about.<\/p>\n At first, I was equal parts curious and skeptical as to how young adults \u2018looking for love\u2019 would be portrayed in the show. As any fan of reality TV knows well, things are edited, re-edited, and spliced to seem one way or another. I worried that certain tropes of Autism would be played up for the sake of \u2018entertainment\u2019 (which didn\u2019t sit well with me) or that the show would shy away from certain topics, undercutting the Autism awareness aspect of it all.<\/p>\n Given that I don\u2019t know any of the show\u2019s participants personally, it\u2019s impossible to say just how much was edited. However, in the camp of awareness, I will say that I was pleasantly surprised at how well the show did in delivering important messages; simply by letting the public into the lives of people that don\u2019t often have their stories told; let alone taking us along their pursuits of connection (which in most cases was so pure).<\/p>\n What stuck out most to me, especially in the third season, was the refreshing dose of authenticity the show had thanks to its participants. Scripts are one thing, but those genuine bursts of excitement, curiosity and love are hard to force, which made seeing these emotions in their rawness that much more refreshing.<\/p>\n Following my binge-watch (I won\u2019t reveal any spoilers), I got to thinking about how there\u2019s so much I learned from Love on the Spectrum, and how much we all can\u2014especially in our love lives. Where so often dating advice is premised on \u2018not being too much of this or that\u2019, ‘Love on the Spectrum’ flips many of these conventional notions entirely, and we might all just be better off to take notes from our friends on the Spectrum.<\/p>\n One of the sweetest parts about the show was how thoughtful the participants were in the gifts they gave each other on dates.<\/p>\n Whether it was Tyler giving Madison a Cinderella bracelet charm (she had told him that princesses were her special interest), or Abby gifting David a candy charcuterie board filled with all his favourite sweets, these touches of thoughtfulness were precious.<\/p>\n So, if you\u2019re going on another date with the same person (even if things are still fairly new), consider adding a small, but thoughtful gift to the equation. Something as simple as a keychain with their favourite animal on it can go a long way; it shows not only that you put in more effort than simply showing up, but also that you paid attention to things they told you.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a loud irony in the typical world of dating. You\u2019re trying to connect with someone, but you\u2019re too afraid to be yourself. Following that skewed logic, people forge faux connections, and it’s oftentimes all uphill from there (just watch 27 Dresses again, feel frustrated at Tess, and you\u2019ll get the picture).<\/p>\n Authenticity should always be front and centre when you\u2019re connecting with someone new, and something the participants handled like pros, no matter how nervous they were. In fact, explaining nerves was a part of their authenticity. Tanner made a point of mentioning to his dates that he \u2018didn\u2019t have anything to say\u2019 at certain points on their adventures, not to be rude, but to simply explain his moments of silence.<\/p>\n While we don\u2019t all need to share every thought on a date, there is something to be said about allowing people the experience of our own self-honesty. So, don\u2019t go eating food you don\u2019t like to impress someone, or pretending to love a type of music you can\u2019t stand (you\u2019ll thank yourself down the line when you\u2019re spared listening to heavy metal for the rest of your relationship because you claimed to be a huge fan on that first date).<\/p>\n There was something so commendable about the way participants handled asking permission when it came to any kind of physical touch. From hand-holding to first kisses, each made sure the other was okay and comfortable with the idea of new forms of closeness, and it\u2019s certainly something many neurotypicals could learn from.<\/p>\n I loved how participants made their intentions known. So many times in the show \u2018honesty is the best policy\u2019 was said, and most importantly, communicated.<\/p>\n Rejection stings for anyone. But it\u2019s a lot easier to get over a first date brand of connection than a whole confusing situationship or relationship built on nothing more than one party hoping to not hurt the other\u2019s feelings.<\/p>\n Even when it\u2019s tough (as it was for James in letting one of his dates know there wouldn\u2019t be a second date), being up-front speaks volumes about character.<\/p>\nDating Tips We Can All Take From \u2018Love on the Spectrum\u2019<\/h3>\n
Thoughtful gift giving is in<\/h4>\n
Unapologetically authentic, always<\/h4>\n
Asking for permission is the vibe<\/h4>\n
Leading people on isn’t cute<\/h4>\n
\nSources: GTG<\/em><\/h6>\n
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