Navigating Online Dating: Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Connections, Disclosure, and Safety

Gibbs, V., Edwards, C., Cai, R. Y., Love, A. M., & Pearson, A. (2026). Navigating Online Dating: Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Connections, Disclosure, and Safety. Autism in Adulthood. https://doi.org/10.1177/25739581261442064

Publication date: 22 Apr 2026 Added to AutiHub: 6 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 5 (40.0%)

Abstract

Background: Dating apps are a common way to meet partners, yet little is known about how autistic adults use and experience these platforms. Existing studies are few, consist of small samples, and none have specifically focused on disclosure decisions, responses to disclosure, or experiences of victimization. This study examined autistic adults’ use of dating apps, focusing on the connections formed, decisions about disclosing an autistic identity, responses received, and experiences of victimization. Methods: We employed a convergent mixed-methods design, using an online survey to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Eligible participants were autistic adults (professionally diagnosed or self-identified) with experience using dating apps or websites. In total, 102 participants completed the survey. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Mann–Whitney U tests. We analyzed qualitative open-text responses through conventional content analysis. Results: Most participants (83.3%) had met someone in person through dating apps, forming long-term (49%), short-term (41.2%), or casual connections (43.1%). More than half (54.5%) chose not to disclose their autistic identity in their profiles, although some disclosed later in interactions. Disclosure was motivated by authenticity, filtering for compatible partners, and avoiding misunderstandings. Reasons for nondisclosure included fear of stigma and safety concerns. Responses to disclosure ranged from acceptance and reciprocal disclosure to stereotyping, ghosting, and stigma. Victimization was widespread: 40% received unwanted sexually explicit messages, and 43% reported verbal abuse. Women and nonheterosexual participants reported significantly higher rates and a greater variety of victimization experiences than men and heterosexual participants. Conclusion: Dating apps provide autistic adults with meaningful opportunities for connection but also expose them to stigma and victimization. Disclosure decisions are shaped by weighing authenticity and safety. Findings highlight the need for safer, more inclusive online dating environments and broader societal efforts to reduce autism stigma.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.

Cited references
57
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
9 / 57 (15.8%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
17 / 223 (7.6%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 17 / 95 (17.9%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 10 / 197 (5.1%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
95 / 223 (42.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 73 / 197 (37.1%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
78 / 95 (82.1%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 78 / 223 (35.0%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 63 / 73 (86.3%).
  1. Moira Burke , Robert Kraut , Diane Williams (2010). Social use of computer-mediated communication by adults on the autism spectrum . Proceedings of the 2010 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work, 425-434. ACM.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  2. Shangwei Wu , Daniel Trottier (2022). Dating apps: a literature review . Annals of the International Communication Association, 46(2), 91-115. Oxford University Press (OUP).
    Crossref OpenAlex
  3. Oren Shtayermman (2009). An Exploratory Study of the Stigma Associated With a Diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome: The Mental Health Impact on the Adolescents and Young Adults Diagnosed With a Disability With a Social Nature . Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19(3), 298-313. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  4. Michael J. Rosenfeld , Reuben J. Thomas , Sonia Hausen (2019). Disintermediating your friends: How online dating in the United States displaces other ways of meeting . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(36), 17753-17758. National Academy of Sciences.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  5. Hans Hellemans , Kathy Colson , Christine Verbraeken , Robert Vermeiren , Dirk Deboutte (2007). Sexual Behavior in High-Functioning Male Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(2), 260-269. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  6. (n.d.). 3. Anderson M Vogels EA Turner E. The virtues and downsides of online dating. Pew Research Center; 2020. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/02/06/the-virtues-and-downsides-of-online-dating/
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  7. Matthew E. Roth , Jennifer M Gillis (2015). “Convenience with the Click of a Mouse”: A Survey of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Online Dating . Sexuality and Disability, 33(1), 133-150. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  8. Mirabelle Miron , Katia Goulet , Louis-Pierre Auger , Chantal Robillard , Catherine Dumas , François Rochon et al. (2023). Online Dating for People with Disabilities: A Scoping Review . Sexuality and Disability, 41(1), 31-61. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  9. Hsiu-Fang Hsieh , Sarah E. Shannon (2005). Three Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis . Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  10. Noah J. Sasson , Daniel J. Faso , Jack Nugent , Sarah Lovell , Daniel P. Kennedy , Ruth B. Grossman (2017). Neurotypical Peers are Less Willing to Interact with Those with Autism based on Thin Slice Judgments . Scientific Reports, 7(1), 40700-40700. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  11. Micah Mazurek (2014). Loneliness, friendship, and well-being in adults with autism spectrum disorders . Autism, 18(3), 223-232. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  12. S. M. Brown-Lavoie , M. A. Viecili , Jonathan A. Weiss (2014). Sexual Knowledge and Victimization in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(9), 2185-2196. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  13. Grace Hancock , Mark A. Stokes , Gary Mesibov (2020). Differences in Romantic Relationship Experiences for Individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder . Sexuality and Disability, 38(2), 231-245. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  14. Sandra Strunz , Constanze Schermuck , Sarah Ballerstein , Christoph J. Ahlers , Isabel Dziobek , Stefan Roepke (2017). Romantic Relationships and Relationship Satisfaction Among Adults With Asperger Syndrome and High‐Functioning Autism . Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(1), 113-125. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  15. Giorgia Sala , Merrilyn Hooley , Mark A. Stokes (2020). Romantic Intimacy in Autism: A Qualitative Analysis . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(11), 4133-4147. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  16. Chantelle Wood , Megan Freeth (2016). Students’ Stereotypes of Autism . Journal of Educational Issues, 2(2), 131. Macrothink Institute, Inc..
    Crossref OpenAlex
  17. Debbie Spain , Jacqueline Sin , Laura Harwood , María Andreina Méndez , Francesca Happé (2017). Cognitive behaviour therapy for social anxiety in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review . Advances in Autism, 3(1), 34-46. Emerald.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  18. Liliana Dell’Osso , Leonardo Massoni , Simone Battaglini , Chiara De Felice , Benedetta Nardi , Giulia Amatori et al. (2023). Emotional dysregulation as a part of the autism spectrum continuum: a literature review from late childhood to adulthood . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1234518-1234518. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  19. François Sallafranque-St-Louis , Claude L. Normand (2017). From solitude to solicitation: How people with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder use the internet . Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 11(1). Masaryk University Press.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  20. Jeroen Dewinter , H. De Graaf , Sander Begeer (2017). Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Romantic Relationships in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(9), 2927-2934. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  21. Gloria Mittmann , Beate Schrank , Verena Steiner-Hofbauer (2024). Portrayal of autism in mainstream media – a scoping review about representation, stigmatisation and effects on consumers in non-fiction and fiction media . Current Psychology, 43(9), 8008-8017. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  22. Jonathan A. Weiss , Michelle A. Fardella (2018). Victimization and Perpetration Experiences of Adults With Autism . Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 203-203. Frontiers Media SA.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  23. Jeff Gavin , Daisie Rees-Evans , Mark Brosnan (2019). Shy Geek, Likes Music, Technology, and Gaming: An Examination of Autistic Males' Online Dating Profiles . Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 22(5), 344-348. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  24. Philippa L Howard , Felicity Sedgewick (2021). ‘Anything but the phone!’: Communication mode preferences in the autism community . Autism, 25(8), 2265-2278. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  25. Daniel Gilmore , Deondray Radford , Meghan K. Haas , Morgan Shields , Lauren Bishop , Brittany N. Hand (2024). Building Community and Identity Online: A Content Analysis of Highly Viewed #Autism TikTok Videos . Autism in Adulthood, 6(1), 95-105. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  26. Sally Lindsay , Victoria Osten , Mana Rezai , Sunny Bui (2021). Disclosure and workplace accommodations for people with autism: a systematic review . Disability and Rehabilitation, 43(5), 597-610. Informa UK Limited.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  27. Christine McAuliffe , Reubs J. Walsh , Eilidh Cage (2023). “ My whole life has been a process of finding labels that fit ”: A Thematic Analysis of Autistic LGBTQIA+ Identity and Inclusion in the LGBTQIA+ Community . Autism in Adulthood, 5(2), 127-138. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  28. Matthias Neumann , Verena Steiner-Hofbauer , Gloria Mittmann (2024). Autism and Online Dating: A Scoping Review . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  29. Vicki Gibbs , Kaaren Haas (2020). Interactions Between the Police and the Autistic Community in Australia: Experiences and Perspectives of Autistic Adults and Parents/Carers . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(12), 4513-4526. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  30. Sandy Thompson-Hodgetts , Chantal Labonte , Rinita Mazumder , Shanon Phelan (2020). Helpful or harmful? A scoping review of perceptions and outcomes of autism diagnostic disclosure to others . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 77, 101598. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  31. (n.d.). 23. Roth ME. Surfing safely: An examination of online dating skills in young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Dissertation. Auburn University; 2015.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  32. Dasom Choi , Sung-In Kim , Sunok Lee , Hyunseung Lim , Hee Jeong Yoo , Hwajung Hong (2023). Love on the Spectrum: Toward Inclusive Online Dating Experience of Autistic Individuals . Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-15. ACM.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  33. A. Jess Williams , Christopher Jones , Jon Arcelus , Ellen Townsend , Aikaterini Lazaridou , Maria Michail (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of victimisation and mental health prevalence among LGBTQ+ young people with experiences of self-harm and suicide . PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0245268. Public Library of Science (PLoS).
    Crossref OpenAlex
  34. Yunhe Huang , Ye In Hwang , Samuel R. C. Arnold , Lauren P. Lawson , Amanda L. Richdale , Julian N Trollor (2022). Autistic Adults’ Experiences of Diagnosis Disclosure . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 52(12), 5301-5307. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  35. Elizabeth McGhee Hassrick , Laura Graham Holmes , Collette Sosnowy , Jessica Walton , Kathleen Carley (2021). Benefits and Risks: A Systematic Review of Information and Communication Technology Use by Autistic People . Autism in Adulthood, 3(1), 72-84. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  36. Rui Ying Yew , Priscilla Samuel , Merrilyn Hooley , Gary B. Mesibov , Mark A. Stokes (2021). A systematic review of romantic relationship initiation and maintenance factors in autism . Personal Relationships, 28(4), 777-802. Wiley.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  37. Elizabeth M Weir , Carrie Allison , Simon Baron-Cohen (2021). The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults . Autism Research, 14(11), 2342-2354. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1002/aur.2604 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3199419134
    Crossref OpenAlex
  38. Eric Filice , Kavishka D. Abeywickrama , Diana C. Parry , Corey W. Johnson (2022). Sexual violence and abuse in online dating: A scoping review . Aggression and Violent Behavior, 67, 101781. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  39. Vicki Gibbs , Jennie Hudson , Ye In Hwang , Samuel R. C. Arnold , Julian N Trollor , Elizabeth Pellicano (2021). Experiences of physical and sexual violence as reported by autistic adults without intellectual disability: Rate, gender patterns and clinical correlates . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 89, 101866. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  40. Ateret Gewirtz-Meydan , Denise Volman-Pampanel , Eugenia Opuda , Noam Tarshish (2024). Dating Apps: A New Emerging Platform for Sexual Harassment? A Scoping Review . Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(1), 752-763. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  41. Anabelle Webster , Joanne Brooker , RoseAnne Misajon , Clare Wilson (2025). Online dating experiences of transgender and gender-diverse people: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative evidence. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. American Psychological Association (APA).
    Crossref OpenAlex
  42. Tai-Ling Liu , Peng-Wei Wang , Ray C. Hsiao , Hsing-Chang Ni , Sophie Hsin-Yi Liang , Chiao-Fan Lin et al. (2022). Multiple types of harassment victimization in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Related factors and effects on mental health problems . Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, 121(11), 2161-2171. Elsevier BV.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  43. Wolbers H (2022). Sexual harassment, aggression and violence victimization among mobile dating app and website users in Australia. Research Report No. 25 . Sexual harassment, aggression and violence victimization among mobile dating app and website users in Australia. Research Report No. 25.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  44. Vicki Gibbs , Jennie Hudson , Elizabeth Pellicano (2023). The Extent and Nature of Autistic People’s Violence Experiences During Adulthood: A Cross-sectional Study of Victimisation . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(9), 3509-3524. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  45. Grace Trundle , Katy A. Jones , Danielle Ropar , Vincent Egan (2023). Prevalence of Victimisation in Autistic Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 24(4), 2282-2296. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  46. Creswell JW (2018). Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research . Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  47. Mitzi J Ritzman , Roma Subramanian (2024). Voices from a pandemic: Understanding how young adults on the autism spectrum use computer-mediated communication . Autism, 28(2), 381-389. SAGE Publications.
    Crossref OpenAlex
  48. (n.d.). 51. Kolakowski V. Representing Autism in Television Perpetuating the Stereotypes. Master’s Dissertation. Faculty of Health York University; 2018.
    Type: Other
    Crossref