Dating with Autism: An Exploration with Sara-Louise Ackrill

Say hola to Season 5, Episode 4 of Mads World! In this episode, I am joined by British social impact entrepreneur, Sara-Louise Ackrill.

Sara is a practising therapist with a business background and was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 38. She has since founded Wired Differently, a creative hub with products and services for neurodivergent people to help support them during the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Wired Differently is powered by neurodiversity, for neurodivergent people.

You might be wondering what I mean by neurodivergent. Sara summaries the term well on her website, saying:

• Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist, coined the term 'neurodiversity' in the late nineties.
• It's used to refer to people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and what used to be called 'Aspergers'; ADHD and specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia.
• 1 in 7 people or 15% of the UK population are neurodivergent*. Specifically, 1/100 meets the criteria for Autism and 5/100 meets the criteria for ADHD. People with these lifelong conditions tend to struggle socially, at home, school, in the workplace, and in their relationships.
• But where the medical model looks for a 'cure' for a 'problem', the social model of neurodiversity acknowledges the qualities of neurodivergent people and proposes that if society would only accommodate people with a different neurological make-up, then neurodivergent people would thrive!

Up next, I chat with Sara about how dating, sex and relationships look for autistic people, including typical assumptions, ideas, challenges, sensory needs and sexuality. Please note that we couldn't possibly speak on behalf of all neurodivergent people and this chat is based on Sara's personal experiences.

Submit your dating questions through madsworld.mp3, and my guests and I will answer them on the show in our Left On Read segment! You will remain anonymous.

All names have been changed unless explicitly said so within the show.

Click here to support the show for the price of a coffee.

Cover Art: Veredien

Music: The.Jones.Project_93