Love on the Spectrum - Series 1 (ATOM Study Guide)

Love on the Spectrum is a four part documentary series which follows young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore the unpredictable world of love, dating and relationships.

Most people on the spectrum have the same desire for intimacy and companionship as the rest of the population, yet difficulties in social interaction and communication are a key feature of autism, which makes finding a partner an often daunting and difficult experience. Far too many people on the autism spectrum want love and want to find someone special but haven't had the opportunity. Many haven't been on a date, ever.

Love on the Spectrum follows seven singles as they take their first steps into the world of dating. As well as support from their families, they receive practical tips from expert therapists to help them navigate what can be a confusing experience, giving them the confidence to begin their journey on the road to finding love. The documentary also follows couples who have found their match, and whose love stories are an inspiration to others. This uplifting and insightful series celebrates diversity and difference, with participants who are warm, funny and generously open. It sets out to teach us all lessons of love, romance, intimacy and acceptance.

Romantic relationships and dating are important elements of the human experience - but so is disability. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 18% of Australians are living with some form of a physical, intellectual, sensory, developmental or other impairment. Within this group, there are at least 164,000 people who are on the autism spectrum, which is equivalent to approximately 1 in 150 Australians.

Curriculum Links:

Love on the Spectrum presents an opportunity to discuss the impact of an autism spectrum disorder on the already tricky path of forming intimate connections with others. It can be used as a springboard for discussion about social norms and expectations, our own and other’s perceptions and responses to people with disability, and how autism and other disability is portrayed in audiovisual texts.

Love on the Spectrum will have particular interest and relevance for senior secondary and tertiary students in the following curriculum areas:

• Psychology (eg. how internal and external factors influence how humans think, feel and act, social behaviour and communication, interpreting human behaviour in everyday situations.)
• Community services and health (eg. the changing nature of social and community support required for people with disabilities across a lifespan.)
• Health and human development (eg. the significance of meaningful and/or intimate relationships in the overall scheme of 'wellbeing'.)
• English (eg. how texts represent the world and human experience and how stylistic and structural choices position audiences.)
• Media Studies (eg. how techniques, codes and conventions are used to create and challenge representations.)

The documentary provides opportunities to reflect on human diversity, the nature of relationships and the importance of advocacy and acceptance. It is a useful resource to address the Australian Curriculum General Capability - Personal and Social Capability, in particular the sub strand of 'social awareness'.

Please note: Teachers should watch this documentary before deciding to show it to students. The program may raise issues among students living with autism and other disabilities, so sensitive pre-viewing discussions may be necessary. Please also refer to the 'Talking about autism' information, in the Study Guide.