• Welcome to Autism Forums, a friendly forum to discuss Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, High Functioning Autism and related conditions.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Private Member only forums for more serious discussions that you may wish to not have guests or search engines access to.
    • Your very own blog. Write about anything you like on your own individual blog.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon! Please also check us out @ https://www.twitter.com/aspiescentral

Going Too Fast

Dairyqueen83

New Member
Hello. Im an NT female who just started dating a guy with Asperger's that is considered high functioning (I hope i said that right). We met online and he insisted that we become a couple immediately. During an argument he revealed his diagnosis and i agreed thay we can continue this realtionship if we slow down.
Nope.
He is very concerned about me taking my ex to court for child support (a step im not ready to take her) and he mentions it every time we talk.
He is is also jealous of a friend that i slept with before we met. Like "don't be friend with them anymore".
Because of these things he is also afraid that if I have a couple beers, I willl call up my ex or one of my friends and cheat.
The few friends I've told suggested I run, but is this a part of Asperger's?
 
I would make a clean break.

He sounds like a control freak, and if this is happening so soon into the relationship, I dread to think what it might escalate to.

Aspergers or not, it is not an excuse to manipulate you into making decisions about your life that are not anything to do with him.
 
Any good relationship is built on trust whether they're an aspie or not, but this develops over time and you have only just started dating.

He sounds insecure, perhaps he's even been cheated on in the past. I don't think most men whether aspie or not would truly like their girlfriend being friends with someone they've slept with in the past, especially if they haven't being going out long and I think most would feel somewhat insecure by this, however a non aspie (NT) maybe more discrete about it knowing that it's probably best to show that everything's fine as otherwise it shows distrust and perhaps even jealousy. An aspie however may not know how to be discrete and may instead show their true feelings whether it's appropriate or not.

It does sounds like he likes you a lot however as he is worried about losing you, the problem is when people over act trying to ensure they don't lose someone too much, it ultimately causes them to lose them. I'm not saying you should break ties with your friend and he has to realise that you have a right to have friends, but if you truly like your new boyfriend, then you would most likely need to keep giving him reassurance that he won't lose you and that you're only interested in him, but the problem is with aspies is this reassurance will keep wearing off and you will most probably need to keep repeating it to keep him feeling secure again. Once you've been in a relationship for sometime however you should both learn to trust each other, it should happen eventually even with an insecure aspie, although it could take a lot longer with a lot more patience (if trust doesn't eventually develop between 2 people in a relationship over time, then sadly they're probably not right for each-other as trust is vital to a successful loving relationship).

Aspies may not always fully understand or think about other people's feelings in an emotional situation and may instead just focus on doing what they consider to be making something right instead. He probably feels that the child and yourself are being mistreated by your ex because you're not receiving child support when lawfully you should be (it's unlikely he's in any way interested in the money himself).

Aspies can also obsess over things way too much and sometimes it could even be over something that other people wouldn't expect, certain things could worry him and keep going round and round in his head unresolved. He may well go on and on about something like this, often repeating himself without considering or fully understanding that you probably don't feel comfortable with it, it won't be his intention to upset you and to him he probably feels like he's just trying to help and stand up for your rights.

You need to talk to him and explain your feelings slowly to him, but you need to be patient and understanding. He may need to be spoken to or reminded on a few occasions to stop him from obsessing over it.

It's great that you're here learning about aspies, you may also wish to read up on common traits of Asperger Syndrome if you haven't already. It is definitely possible for a non aspie and aspie to have a long loving relationship, it will often take more patience and understanding, but it can be well worth it in the end and aspies are often the most trustworthy and loyal companions of all. Sometimes he may do or say things that some may consider inappropriate or maybe even offensive, but usually that won't be intentional and if you have patience and understanding you then will learn not to be annoyed or offended by it, E.g. it's just the way he is, and you may even learn to love some of his traits.

Aspies can still learn to control traits better however and over time you will hopefully be in a position where you can work together to achieve this (I'm now 48 and I've learnt to see a lot of my traits and control them better, although I'm far from perfect and can still say or do the wrong things sometimes and without realising offend people, also relationships never worked well for myself, although there are many aspies who have been luckier and are in happy long term loving relationships).

Has he got a special interest or interests, something that he often obsesses over and spends a lot of his time doing? Not all aspies have a special interest, but many do and they can often obsess over it. If he does have a special interest or interests, or if he later finds one, please don't be offended if he seems to spend more time on that than with yourself, for instance in future he could tell you that he'll be up in 10 minutes as he's still working on it when you call him to bed, lol! I know I've done this to someone when I was younger and I've later realised, it wouldn't mean he loves you any less however. If you could take a least a little interest in any special interests he would most likely appreciate it however, you don't have to love or even particularly like his special interest, but just being there occasionally to view and acknowledge his achievements would usually be greatly appreciated.

Finally don't listen to your friends who probably haven't took the time to learn about Asperger Syndrome, do what YOU want to do. I wish you the very best of luck and please feel free to keep us updated. :)

Edit:
I would make a clean break.

He sounds like a control freak, and if this is happening so soon into the relationship, I dread to think what it might escalate to.

Aspergers or not, it is not an excuse to manipulate you into making decisions about your life that are not anything to do with him.

From the limited information given and known at this time I feel it's probably too early to make a definite assumption like that (my opinion). I most definitely understand why you say this however, alarm bells would be ringing for a lot of people and you may end up being right. If he confidently starts giving orders and won't ever listen no matter what or worse still gets aggressive, E.g. he orders, "you will stop seeing your friend" without any possible compromise, then I would agree with you, but I think he deserves to be given a chance at least and Asperger Syndrome probably has a play in the way he is acting and/or coming across.

Note: Also people should be a little careful not to misinterpret someone with Asperger Syndrome as being aggressive, sometimes they're not really being aggressive even when some people think they are coming across that way.
 
Last edited:
The few friends I've told suggested I run, but is this a part of Asperger's?
What you described are not really traits of Aspergers. Moving too fast into a relationship is common as relationships are so rare. But, as others have mentioned, there are many RED FLAGs of control and insecurity in front of you. If you step away, this individual will probably withdrawal or meltdown - both of which might actually be good for you to experience. I say that because the opposite of having control is an implosion of a house of cards.
 
What made him insecure was the fact you told him you're still friends with someone you slept with prior to him, secondly you must have indicated you might be flirty If you drink ? That is how I've interpreted your post ...correct me if I'm wrong please no offence , if you see a loyal genuine loving man in him , keep him, good luck !
 
What are his good points?
Good question. I forgot to mention those.
I love that he is protective of me. I spent 11 years with a guy who viewed me as a "strong woman" and therefore thought i needed zero protection so i keep wondering if om freaking out because I'm not used to it.
He's attentive and sweet. I get messages and links to love songs all day.
His hugs (and other things lol) are the best too.
 
What made him insecure was the fact you told him you're still friends with someone you slept with prior to him, secondly you must have indicated you might be flirty If you drink ? That is how I've interpreted your post ...correct me if I'm wrong please no offence , if you see a loyal genuine loving man in him , keep him, good luck !

I never thought of that. I guess i revealed that because of the way he asked me. I thought it was a sexy question by his tone of voice and the situation in which he was asking me. I said something like "we had a couple drinks and was like 'what the hell, let's try it.' Then his tone changed and he got concerned. He never said "don't see your friend" but he said he's afraid that ill be taken advantage of.
 
He didn't order me to stop seeing my friends (and i asked him if that's what he wants) but he said that he doesn't want my friends to be more important than him. I assured him that our relationship is important but sometimes I will want time with my friends and time by myself.
 
He didn't order me to stop seeing my friends (and i asked him if that's what he wants) but he said that he doesn't want my friends to be more important than him. I assured him that our relationship is important but sometimes I will want time with my friends and time by myself.

Well take care in any case.

As I've said on another thread, my mum went through a controlling relationship and so I'm just saying be wary; it may all turn out fine and be a happy relationship after all, and I honestly hope that is the case. Maybe talk to him about some of the things that are bothering you, as communication can work wonders.

However, if it starts getting too much like he's trying to control your life - regardless of whether he gets physical or not - then don't hesitate to break away; make sure you recognize if he is becoming too controlling (such as checking your phone to see who you've been talking to, telling you how to dress, etc.) and have the willpower to leave as you don't have to put up with it.
I wouldn't want anyone - NT or Autistic/Aspie - to be stuck in an abusive relationship as that happens far too much nowadays.

Here's some information about what to look out for. If your boyfriend is doing any of this, then it's not okay and you shouldn't pursue the relationship any further.

---

What is emotional abuse?


Some people use emotional abuse to control people. These signs can be more difficult to spot, but could include:

  • Getting angry when you want to spend time with your friends
  • Isolating you from friends and family
  • Threatening to spread rumours about you
  • Saying things like “If you loved me you would…”
  • Putting you down all the time, using names like ‘frigid’ or ‘slut’ to control what you do, humiliate you and destroy your self-esteem
  • Trying to control your life (telling you how to dress, who you hang out with and what you say)
  • Threatening to harm you or to self–harm if you leave them
  • Demanding to know where you are all the time
  • Monitoring your calls and emails, threatening you if you don’t respond instantly
  • Getting really angry, really quickly
  • Using force during an argument
  • Blaming others for their problems or feelings
  • Being verbally abusive
  • Using threatening behaviour towards others
  • Pressuring you to send them nude pictures
If someone is lesbian, gay, bi or transgender and not ‘out’, their partner might threaten to ‘out’ them if they don’t do what they want.


What is physical abuse?

Some people use violence to force someone to do something or threaten to use it to control them. It could include:

  • Hitting
  • Punching
  • Kicking
  • Slapping
  • Pushing someone against a wall and refusing to let them go
  • Holding somebody down

What is sexual abuse?


Forcing someone to do any sexual acts they don’t want to is rape or sexual assault. This kind of abuse can happen in relationships.

If you recognise any of the signs of abuse in your own relationship, you can get help here.


Source: https://www.disrespectnobody.co.uk/relationship-abuse/signs-to-spot/
 
Last edited:
I don't feel like I'm adding anything new, but I'd be very wary. There's a thin line between being protective and being controlling. You say he's afraid you'll be taken advantage of when you hang out with the friend you slept with. To me it reads like he's just saying
1) "I don't trust you not to cheat on me" and
2) "I don't trust your ability to protect yourself from unwanted advances".
Both trouble me more than a little. Sure, a little jealousy is normal and may be healthy to an extent. However, this does not sound healthy to me. Coupled with the fact that he ignores the fact that you want to take it slow with the relationship and goes full speed ahead, this just screams red flags all over the place. However well-intentioned his behavior might be, judging from your story this relationship is all about what he wants, and about you accommodating his needs to keep him from freaking out.

I think it's sweet of you that you want to take his autism into account, but it doesn't give him a free pass to be selfish. Nor is autism an excuse to act needy and controlling. Being told "no" isn't just for children. Good luck with everything.
 
What are his good points?


This pretty much sums it up. Myself I am pretty decent looking and make a strong effort to treat women with respect but still rarely get anywhere. Exactly what does he have going on that is making you put so much thought into considering adhering to this nonsense?
 

New Threads

Top Bottom