How to Support Autistic Adults with Dating
Presented by Kate McNulty, LCSW
Recorded on Friday, June 28, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
Intimate relationships are a cornerstone of social support and strength for most people, but autistic adults encounter multiple barriers when dating and looking for a romantic partner. Widespread advice on this stage of adult development is not always applicable to autistic social norms; in fact, suggested behavioral strategies for dating conventions may be impossible for autistics to replicate.
Autistic people can, however, strengthen self-confidence and learn to take control of their dating experiences with affirmative support and a strategic approach, including negotiation of consent and intimacy.
Therapists can provide objective feedback, inform clients of self-care practices, prevent emotional setbacks and allow clients the sustained effort required in the dating process. During this session, participants will learn practical strategies for supporting autistic clients with their dating endeavors.
This program, when attended in its entirety, offers 2.0 CEs for Psychologists, 2.0 IL CEUS for Counselors and Social Workers, 2.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs, or 2.0 AASECT CEs for Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.
Intimate relationships are a cornerstone of social support and strength for most people, but autistic adults encounter multiple barriers when dating and looking for a romantic partner. Widespread advice on this stage of adult development is not always applicable to autistic social norms; in fact, suggested behavioral strategies for dating conventions may be impossible for autistics to replicate.
Autistic people can, however, strengthen self-confidence and learn to take control of their dating experiences with affirmative support and a strategic approach, including negotiation of consent and intimacy.
Therapists can provide objective feedback, inform clients of self-care practices, prevent emotional setbacks and allow clients the sustained effort required in the dating process. During this session, participants will learn practical stratagies for supporting autistic clients with their dating endeavors.
After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:
- Identify 2 principles for supporting autistic clients with consent practices in their dating endeavors.
- Discuss ineffective dating behaviors and recommend alternative dating habits when working with adult autistic clients.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
This program meets AASECT Core Knowledge Area for:
E – Intimacy skills (e.g., social, emotional, sexual), intimate relationships, interpersonal relationships and family dynamics.
This program meets AASECT Sexuality Education Skills training for:
D – Approaches to sexuality education with specific populations.
This program meets AASECT Sexuality Counseling training for:
B – Theory and methods of sexuality counseling approaches to specific populations
General Admission: $30
The Chicago School Faculty/Staff/Alumni: $20*
The Chicago School Students: $15*
(*Please email [email protected] for coupon code)
Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.
Cosner, C. (2023). Love on the Spectrum: A realistic TV depiction of autism spectrum disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal, 19(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp-rj.2023.190107
Richards, G., Baron‐Cohen, S., Warrier, V., Mellor, B., Davies, J., Gee, L. K., & Galvin, J. (2022b). Evidence of partner similarity for autistic traits, systemizing, and theory of mind via facial expressions. Scientific Reports, 12(1).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11592-z
Soares, L. S., Alves, A. L. C., De Souza Costa, D., Malloy-Diniz, L. F., De Paula, J. J., Romano‐Silva, M. A., & De Miranda, D. M. (2021). Common venues in romantic relationships of adults with symptoms of autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.593150
Kate McNulty, LCSW
Kate McNulty has been in private practice since 1999 and has helped clients of all kinds with dating supports and strategies, including handling intimate interactions and sexual expression. Kate is autistic and works with autistic adults to optimize their quality of life through building relationships and social support networks.
Target Audience: Masters and doctoral level mental health professionals working with autistic adults.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159
Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036
MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 2.0 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.
Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 2.0 CE credits. The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology has been approved as an AASECT Provider of continuing education credits! Provider number 23-519-CW. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact [email protected].
Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.