Love on the spectrum

I can hear some laughter coming from the living room downstairs. My wife and girls are watching television and having a good belly laugh. They are watching "Love on the Spectrum", which follows young adults on the autism spectrum searching for love, navigating the unpredictable and complicated world of dating and relationships.

Autistic people can struggle with social and emotional communication. They may not form relationships as easily or in the same ways as neurotypical people. It is not uncommon for parents to worry about whether their autistic children will ever find love.

Unlike most reality television, the production crew isn't trying to stir up drama. No one gets voted off the island. No one is told to pack their bags and go. It is a carefully structured story of young adults struggling to find love. You can't help but feel empathetic to the young adults on the show. You are hoping they find true love, and you can't help getting dragged into their emotional struggle. 

The two series of the show were created by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), but it is also available on Netflix. If you want to watch a dating show where everyone is treated with kindness, this show is for you.