This article was co-authored by Tasha Rube, LMSW. Tasha Rube is a Licensed Social Worker based in Kansas City, Kansas. Tasha is affiliated with the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. She received her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Missouri in 2014. This article has been viewed 352,472 times.

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If you have an Autistic boyfriend, improve your relationship by helping him in social settings and being as direct as possible. For example, help him navigate social situations that may feel overwhelming to him due to the loudness or crowding. Talk to him about why you’d like him to go to these gatherings with you and ways to make it easier on him. Suggest that he slip away to take a break every half hour, or set a time when you’ll leave so he knows how long he’ll need to handle the situation. If your boyfriend doesn’t like to be touched or know when it’s appropriate to give physical affection, tell him what you need or ask him before touching him. For instance, you might say “I’m feeling really upset right now. Could you please give me a hug? It would help me feel better.” To learn how to ask your boyfriend about his specific needs, keep reading!