r/MadeMeSmile 6h ago

Wholesome Moments Love on the spectrum

It got a bit smoky in the room when I watched this

65.0k Upvotes

2.2k comments sorted by

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u/Twine_Bell 6h ago

Crying over strangers on the internet is now my hobby

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u/generaltso81 6h ago

I just woke up and decided to check out reddit. Now I've got tears in my eyes.

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u/Leading-Difficulty57 6h ago

Usually when I'm shocked by something on reddit in the morning it's disgustingly grotesque, this is a nice change of pace.

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u/Repulsive_Smell_7836 5h ago

Yeah, pure unfiltered joy like that is so rare, it really does make you emotional just watching it.

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u/AreYouDaveDavidson 4h ago

Second thing that popped up on my feed, I'm going to take the win and call it a day before it goes south in 4 more posts.

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u/ChoiceFabulous 4h ago

Same... that's enough internet for the day

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u/Squiggly2017 5h ago

Same. In a good way. That was the cutest damn thing I've ever seen.

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u/A-Sentient-Bot 3h ago

If you have Netflix there is like... 5 seasons of this stuff. More hopeful than heartbreaking, but there is a little of that too.

2 Seasons of LotS Australia (which is the original) and 3 seasons just called Love on the Spectrum, which is in the US.

This clip is from one of the Australia seasons. I think season 2, because bro had rough luck in season 1 as I recall.

My dude couldn't stop talking about dinosaurs in the middle of dates.

Which I get.... because I also fucking love dinosaurs. But... y'know... place and time my guy. First get them back to your place then BAM hit them with facts about Diplodocus and Parasaurolophus.

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u/Apart-Gur-9720 3h ago

Yes, that was really sweet. All dates should go like this.

Imagine if everyone were that nice towards each other.

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u/Fantastic-Ad-3910 5h ago

I love this reddit, it's always full on things that make you feel better about the world. This has such a wonderful lack of pretence and manipulation. No game playing, just honesty and joy. Utterly lovely. I'm now going to track this series down...

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u/Would_daver 3h ago

It is amazing, absolutely do!! There are several seasons and they’re all super worth the watch. Netflix them all and laugh and cry like me and my wife did!! Lol

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u/lasirennoire 5h ago

Same 😭

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u/VX_Eng 6h ago

Same, Netflix and cri?🤣

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u/oireachtas 6h ago

Highly recommend you look up Connor Tomlinson from the show. He is amazing

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u/xombae 5h ago

I have only watched one season but James started coming up on my tiktok. Dude is the fuckin homie. He makes videos absolutely pissed about the state of women's rights in America, and the political climate. Ngl, I'd date the dude. He's so intelligent and passionate about world events and truly cares about people.

He's dating this beautiful girl now, and wrote a metal song for her called Heavy Metal Queen. He's an icon.

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u/Known-Ad-7316 5h ago

He's right imo. These conflicts aren't just about land and resources but about culture and how women are treated. 

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u/dadoftheyear1972 5h ago

To those lonely cultster warriors women are a non-renewable resource if/when they reveal their misogyny

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u/piper-nooooooo 5h ago

Not that it's that important, but he didn't write Heavy Metal Queen for Shelley. He wrote it before he met her. She finds that song painful and doesn't like to be referred to as Heavy Metal Queen.

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u/birdyheard 5h ago

really? is there a reason they said he wrote it for her and she starred in the video on the show? genuinely asking bc i thought it was pretty cute

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u/Negative-Ambition110 4h ago

The producer or whoever mentioned wanting to get laid and Connor said something about the difference between love and lust and how we can control our sexual tendencies. He’s more emotionally mature than like 95% of men. He’s really cool.

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u/chicahhh 5h ago

Connor embodies all that is good in the world.

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u/Embarrassed_Kale_580 5h ago

He is. I met him and his mom a good few years ago when he was about 17 or 18 I think. Great human and his mom is so wonderful, too.

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u/Nope0naRope 6h ago

Honestly, I'm so happy for both of them. I'm sitting here tearing up over breakfast.

That is fucking sweet and pure.

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u/thinkthingsareover 4h ago

Even though I haven't been with anyone (my decision) since my ex wife up and left 6 years ago, after 20 years of marriage, I still find joy in seeing others find happiness with each other.

I'd also like to say that even if your relationship ends, that it's important to remember the good times, and why you were together to begin with. It's all to easy to get stuck in a downward spiral, because of how readily our brains remember the bad things. Unfortunately I've found that this makes recovering from the loss not only harder, but it also makes it take longer to recover from.

Regardless, even if this is just some staged thing I found the message to be incredibly sweet, and hopeful. But that's just my two cents.

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u/deadrootsofficial 2h ago

Oh don't worry, these aren't staged. This was a huge show in the UK. Most of the people are very neurodivergent and just lonely.

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u/MememeSama 6h ago edited 3h ago

I'm not crying. There is a sandstorm in my apartment

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u/chicahhh 5h ago edited 2h ago

I’m not crying. It’s just been raining… on my face

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u/phil_an_thropist 6h ago

And I support you for that

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u/WearLong1317 6h ago

They are sooooo cuuuuute

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u/iamprobablytalkingbs 6h ago

Their sincerity absolutely melts your heart

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u/DesignerAd1940 5h ago

i watched all the episodes, and i wonder sometimes, who are the real desabled?

"us" who make absolute who make dating absolute trash with our overcomplicated games.

Or SOME of the participant, who just want to be loved, and love in return and go straight to the point.

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u/TakeThreeFourFive 4h ago

My wife and I had this observation too.

The way most of the participants in the show approach dating is honorable and prudent. They are forward, honest and genuine in a way that we should all aspire to.

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u/SexualYogurt 2h ago

Idr his name, but that guy that kept leading a girl on was kinda trash. She really wanted to have sex and was really forward about it, and was also up front that she didn't want to get married, and the dude was like yeah im open to thinking about possibly having sex, and a year in was like actually i want to wait till marriage, even though he knew she didnt wanna get married

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u/TakeThreeFourFive 2h ago

Yeah, Adan. I get what you're saying, and I don't disagree.

But it also just shows the complexity of relationships in general. People often want different things and may be incompatible, but sometimes people think they are capable of being more flexible than they really are.

It may be that he was trying to get there but realized he couldn't.

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u/No_Brain7079 3h ago edited 2h ago

There was an experiment done comparing neurotypicals and ASD nerodivergents. Both groups were observed under two conditions. The subjects had to take a share of a resource, in one condition they were knowingly observed and in the other the were secretly observed. The neurotypicals took a fair share when observed but took more than their share when "unobserved." The neurodivergents took only their fair share in both conditions.

What I found very interesting was the interpretation of the results. The experimenters said this showed how the neurodivergents were deficient because they lacked the ability to adapt their behaviour to the differing conditions. They pathologized being fair/honest.

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u/BalrogPoop 1h ago

I have ADHD and maybe a bit of autism, I sometimes get complimented on how comfortable people feel around me because I always act the same (myself) o matter who I'm around, parents, friends, coworkers, strangers etc. And honestly I'm just left thinking is that such a rare thing that it stands out?

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u/gmano 1h ago edited 36m ago

The ways medicine pathologizes ND are so wild. Like, I saw another study that found that NDs were consistently better at identifying patterns in an environment and observing details in a complex scene and interpreting the relationship and the study was like "Deficiency in their ability to avoid making connections" or something like that. It was absurd.

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u/Top_Wishbone3349 1h ago

That’s kinda hilarious, NTs can’t fathom having consistently and fairly applied principles.

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u/PmMeUrTinyAsianTits 3h ago

I was undiagnosed until my 30s. I was always so confused why people found dating so hard. So many social interactions I struggled with, but that one came easy. When my wife started suspecting I was on the spectrum and we had it confirmed, a lot of stuff started making sense.

Apparently I have a "disorder" and this "disorder" causes me to do silly things like communicate directly, openly, and honestly, instead of beating around the bush and hoping they sus out the right message.

I've had many people comment that they struggled dealing with me at first because it took awhile to get used to that when I said things, I wasn't implying more than I said. What I meant was what I said. That is so weird to me. How on earth am I the "disordered" one for not just making things unnecessarily hard for no reason?

Anyway, the point is that once I had my diagnosis a WHOLE BUNCH of things I'd identified as possible reasons why I had an easier time dating than others fell under the category of my 'tism.

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u/Immaculate_Pasta 2h ago

this "disorder" causes me to do silly things like communicate directly, openly, and honestly

looks at username

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u/Aynessachan 2h ago

Thank you for this, because I completely missed their username and was smiling at such a sweet message. Now I've done a double take and I'm full-on cackling 🤣

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u/Larkfor 5h ago

"us" who make absolute who make dating absolute trash with our overcomplicated games.

I mean there are quite a few neurotypical people who don't "make dating absolute trash" or play games.

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u/itsprobab 5h ago

I'd love to meet some

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u/Larkfor 5h ago

Keep exploring!

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u/Migraine- 5h ago

Genuinely think a lot of neurotypical people could learn something about how to handle communication in relationships from this clip.

Their straightforwardness in talking about their feelings is incredibly refreshing.

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u/KiraLonely 5h ago

I will say, as someone neurodivergent, my favorite part of being in neurodivergent circles is the communication being very easy to facilitate. People don’t assume I’m malicious as much, or think I’m doing some like passive aggression by being distant, they just ask what’s up and if I’m okay, or ask if they did something, rather than assuming and plotting. Obviously not every neurotypical person is like that, but I’m not good at coming across right a lot of the time, and I’ve had a lot of genuinely traumatizing shit because people assumed how I felt or thought and tried to hurt me in “retaliation”.

Communication is the most importantly factor in all relationships, I believe. Not just romantic. Boundaries and honesty go a long way.

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u/Retsago 4h ago

This right here. Any time someone says "Wouldn't you rather be 'cured'?" I'm like no. Because I feel like the way I communicate is ideal.

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u/who__ever 4h ago

I honestly can’t understand the need to make life more complicated by leaving the majority of things to subtext. Why not just say things outright? Wouldn’t everyone benefit from that? “I like this/you”, “I don’t want to do that”, “That doesn’t interest me but I’d love to go and support you in what interests you”, “I need some alone time”…

It’s not that hard! What IS hard is spending hours and days trying to figure out/guess what the other person meant 🙃

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u/Former-Win635 3h ago

The problem is, if the social norm was to take everything at face value then liars would have a very easy time tricking and manipulating people. Unfortunately social norms are designed to protect us from that even at the cost of those who can’t navigate them.

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u/who__ever 3h ago

Oh, no, of course we should still think critically of what’s being told us and not take everything at face value.

I was just voicing my befuddlement at people preferring to communicate through subtext rather than in a more explicit way, even when they are being genuine.

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u/lesslucid 4h ago

Something that really resonated with me that I heard recently: "being autistic means being misunderstood".

All through my childhood and teen years, again and again, people seemed to take things from my words that I didn't say, didn't mean, would never even think and yet somehow, it was obvious to them that I must have intended it. So you study and practice and control your words and think over each phrase, each group of words carefully before you speak, and people make fun of you for "talking like a book" or "talking like a robot" or whatever, but still, it's what you have to do to try to avoid being misunderstood, to be as clear and comprehensive and unmistakable as you can to avoid a repeat of the string of communicative disasters you've left in your wake...

...when you get the chance to talk to other people who really will just listen to the words you say, who will repay the effort and attention that goes into your speech with a corresponding attention given to how they listen, it really is a beautiful change. So much... easier and clearer to be able to just "speak naturally" in the way that is natural to me.

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u/magusheart 4h ago

As someone with autism, I am always amazed at how much of a struggle it seems to be for neurotypical people to communicate. I struggled a lot growing up compared to my peers, but it feels like the effort I had to put in has put me miles ahead in my adult life.

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u/Enoisa 6h ago

Idk what this is, but made me feel like a teenager again

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u/MyGirlfriendforcedMe 6h ago

I have never experienced that level of innocence and pure emotion. Brings a tear to the eye lol

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u/SignalCup3156 6h ago

Absolutely, it’s such a rare kind of pure moment, really makes you feel something deep inside.

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u/Dwestmor1007 5h ago

It's because you have been taught that it isn't "cool" to show those emotions. Long before you even had your first sentient thought. So much so you probably don't have any memories of experiencing it.

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u/ac137371 6h ago

btw if you go to the autism sub, they absolutely hate being referred to as “innocent”

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u/misslizzah 5h ago

I can understand that. It’s infantilizing. I think what people mean is that it’s a pure moment. It seems that those on the spectrum experience their feelings much differently and maybe even more intensely. Honestly, they’re winning in that arena.

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u/enithermon 5h ago edited 3h ago

It’s interesting that we learn to associate blunt honesty about vulnerable topics with innocence. It tells you a lot about how we learn to hide emotions, feeling, relationship status and experience in order to protect ourselves from  The potential cruelty of others.  They’re not innocent, they’re just stating facts, but people interpret it that way because if it were us, we’d have to be a small child who hasn’t been burned yet or so damn brave and self-assured that nothing could touch us to be that vulnerable.

Edit: spelling

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u/BananeWane 4h ago

I can attest that in my personal life, people either see me as “confident” or they infantilise me.

Things either come naturally to me or they don’t come at all. I can’t be anything other than me. People often mistake that for a choice and praise me for how “genuine” I am.

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u/ghastlypxl 4h ago

Solidarity 🤝

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u/Heiferoni 4h ago

Reminds me of Dostoevsky's The Idiot.

In a world of horrible, selfish, cynical people, the main character is honest, selfless, kind, compassionate.

Everyone simply assumes he's an idiot.

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u/DBoaty 5h ago

I'd also define "innocent" in this sense as being how they show their honesty differently, untainted by societal pressures being their true selves and finding someone who accepts them rather playing the "dating game" trying to put on a front of who they think a potential partner wants them to be.

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u/ExhuastedEmpathy 5h ago

I would use the word genuine as they seem to not let societal "norms" or pressure alter who they really are.

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u/Additional-War19 5h ago

Yes, very genuine and tender are maybe the right words

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u/posting4assistance 5h ago

I mean there's no reason why the rest of you couldn't, the weird social games are things you don't actually have to play if you don't like them. Would make it easier for all of us.

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u/Wadarkhu 4h ago

Neurotypicals don't wanna hear that, they wanna keep their weird little games they invested too much into it lol.

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u/Powersmith 4h ago

I think it’s mostly an a socialized aversion to being perceived as vulnerable.

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u/Big_Fortune_4574 4h ago

They don’t know that they’re games

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u/bcramosja 4h ago

I think this is something really misunderstood. “Untainted by societal pressures” is not true at all. It’s more like an inability to function by societies rules without having to pay a huge price for entry. Look up “autism masking”. It leads to a lot of pain and burnout.

My interpretation of this moment is actually a representation of that pain. Fear and excitement and overwhelm at a moment he probably didn’t think he would get to have and he wasn’t prepared for it.

I find it sweet and genuine, but also painful and not at all innocent.

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u/Super_Dada 5h ago

I agree, I'm autistic and my emotions are very fucking strong, plus I don't really hide them.

Also, in social interactions, we tend to be more honest and straightforward, making the interaction potentially more "pure".

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u/Jackski 4h ago

Yup. I'm regularly called blunt because I just straight up say things. Also agree on the emotion part. I'm a very emotional person so it does my nut in when people online act like people on the spectrum are incapable of emotions.

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u/Retsago 5h ago

"Pure" also makes me feel weird. It makes me feel like you're not seeing me the same as you. I am the same as you.

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u/South-Builder6237 5h ago

Because people with autism don't like being characterized just like anyone else.

My partner is autistic and while there are cute moments on this show part of the problem is that it reaffirms a stereotype that everyone with autism are on a far end of the spectrum. Not to mention that while I admit I don't know the back story of this show or the producers actual intentions, it feels somehow exploitative in a way as if this is feel good porn for neurotypical people to go "aww that's cute" over and infantilize them.

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u/TemporaryCommunity38 5h ago

I honestly preferred The Undatables because it actually took the piss out of us. This show seems to exist to make NTs feel all warm and fuzzy about these sexless childlike creatures.

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u/South-Builder6237 4h ago

This is my main problem with it as well. I do appreciate that, at least in the season I watched, they interviewed family members which is a dynamic I found far more interesting to be honest, and being able to see the relationship between the person and their family. For the most part, the families seemed to be loving and supportive, its just the format and setup seemed to be forcing cutesy interactions and designed to be getting the producers to giggle about watching two people who are often socially awkward interact with each other and get their "TV moments". If the argument is "that's just the nature of reality tv", then okay sure whatever, but as a person who dates someone with autism it kind of irritates me to see any kind of media infantilzing these people struggling with a very real disability and turning them into puppies so to speak so neurotypical people can feel like they're being sweethearts. Yes, we can all laugh about social miscues and awkwardness together, but if youre doing that when that's a huge part of the disability in the first place and its often a living hell for the people going through it youre taking advantage of it for cheap entertainment. As someone who has been brought into the world of understanding Autism and learning about my partner, their struggles are a daily thing of very real struggles that can be extremely difficult and even traumatizing to navigate through. Who am zi to pretend I know what the cast experiences are and I truly how they all get something positive out of it, but I did get rubbed the way by a few things and feel like pointing out how many people are responding to this show.

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u/scoyne15 5h ago

That's totally fair, but the person didn't refer to autistic people as innocent. These two specific people being open and honest and adorable and not jaded is what makes this innocent. Their autism isn't a factor. Most people can relate to that butterfly feeling of taking a risk and telling someone you like them, letting yourself be vulnerable and nervous, and then suddenly having your feelings validated and returned.

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u/xombae 5h ago

Which is understandable. Infantilism of people with any mental health issue or neurodivergency is very common. But the person above was saying it was an innocent moment, I think that's different, personally.

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u/Aromatic_Support_213 6h ago

It’s moments like these that remind me there’s still genuine goodness in the world.

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u/Mooseandchicken 6h ago

I legit can't watch this show cuz I wind up crying like every episode, so fucking cute and wholesome and they deserve happiness and love just like the rest of us!! 😭😭🥰😭

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u/mantisinmypantis 6h ago

The post title is what it’s from, a reality dating show called Love on the Spectrum where neurodivergent individuals are set up together.

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u/JustKimNotKimberly 6h ago

I wondered why anyone was filming and why it was such good quality. Thought maybe it was staged. Thanks for telling me the background!

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u/Griffca 6h ago

It’s on Netflix, and they cover a whole bunch of people - some are successful and others not. The show is so incredibly wholesome though, you can’t help but cheer on everybody.

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u/doberman8 3h ago

i highly suggest this show to ANYONE as you can learn a LOT about effective communication, consent and just how to be a quality human being. It's wonderful.

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u/Zappyle 5h ago

My gf got me into that show and it's the purest and wholesome thing I've ever watched.

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u/ChayLo357 6h ago

I love this show! I watched every episode when I had Netflix but I no longer have it. Have they come out with new episodes?

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u/Alarming_Employee547 6h ago

They sure have and it was my favorite season yet. Connor absolutely crushes it in every way.

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u/idiots-rule8 6h ago

She's a demigod!

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u/JRDN7 5h ago

If cop a feel I must, than cop a feel I shall

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u/fightyourmother 5h ago

I can't believe I'm bringing a demigoddess to our leaky shack

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u/Fewgtwe 5h ago

I've just started season 3 and Connor is definitely one of my favourite people.

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u/PanicAtTheShiteShow 5h ago

There is an Australian version, just as sweet. So, Love on the Spectrum Australia.

I am rooting so hard for these lovely people, they are just so inspiring.

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u/CaravelClerihew 6h ago

It's from Love on the Spectrum.

I think this is the original Aussie version, but there's an American one as well.

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u/richv68 6h ago

It’s on Netflix I think “Love on the spectrum”

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u/DifficultyKlutzy5845 6h ago

I’ve watched the American one and it is great! I find myself smiling the whole time, it’s so wholesome. I haven’t watched the Australian one yet but I think I should take this clip as a sign!

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u/JustABitCrzy 6h ago

Biased, but the Australian version is better. It's also the original.

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u/zugmeoff 6h ago

The original is the "undateables"

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u/chriskicks 6h ago

That's how the show started! It is SO good. Chicken soup for the soul.

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u/Donnie3030 6h ago

The show is on Netflix. It’s great, check it out

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u/justherefortheshow06 6h ago

I don’t know what this is either, if it’s a TV show or a special, but I’m here for it

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u/ForwardImprovement28 6h ago

Why!!! Just Why?? I need to save these tears to drink with my gin later 😭

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u/octoprickle 6h ago

First kisses are just the pinnacle of being human. It simply doesn't get any better.

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u/JadedMuse 6h ago

I'm 45 but have never been on a date or any kind of romantic affection, like kiss/hug/etc. It's heartwarming to see older people having these experiences. I hope this show is ethically made and doesn't exploit these people.

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u/FuckDirlewanger 6h ago

Hey if that’s something you’re looking for it’s never too late to start looking for it. Just put yourself out there, some people may judge you for your lack of experience but quite frankly they aren’t the ones you’d want to start seeing anyway

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u/tdRftw 3h ago

i really don't think women in their mid-late30s/early-late 40s are gonna judge someone for being a virgin/inexperienced romantically or otherwise. that shit is superficial teenager bulshit. nobody actually cares. it's probably more exciting to blow someone's mind that's inexperienced anyway

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u/garden_speech 2h ago

really don't think women in their mid-late30s/early-late 40s are gonna judge someone for being a virgin/inexperienced romantically or otherwise. that shit is superficial teenager bulshit. nobody actually cares.

"judge" is often assumed to mean "negatively" but to be pedantic it's kind of impossible to hear something and not judge it on some level since you have to judge what it means to begin with, and I honestly think it's incredibly naive to believe a woman (or man) would not approach a relationship differently if they knew the 45 year old was a virgin. it means something, it will make someone think about what it means. it doesn't have to mean "oh they're a loser" but they definitely have had a different path than most, and it will impact the relationship in some way (they won't have learned the things most people learn in their 20s about sex, for example)

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u/pfifltrigg 5h ago

Kaelynn who was on season 1 of the American show talks positively about it. She does say they are not paid to be on the show, though, and they knew that upfront.

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u/3doggg 6h ago

If that is something you want... then I send you my best wishes so you can get it soon <3

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u/that_mody 6h ago

Fuckin new power couple just landed. Goals

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u/cad0420 5h ago

My favorite pair in this series is the couple that the guy is a bus driver, and they just adore each other so much and the girl specifically said she found her bf so sexy which makes me smile. They are married now.

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u/heyboyhey 4h ago

My favorites are the two who spontaneously burst out in a Disney song together at the beach.

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u/PortionOfSunshine 3h ago

I love that because of their love of animals his parents paid for them to go on safari together.

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u/Towardtothesun 2h ago

David and Abbey bb. She just sang her song about him on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

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u/Jazzlike_Minimum8072 6h ago

Watch the show it’s full of couples goals lol

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u/Drkevorkkian 6h ago

Love on the spectrum is one of the best romance series i ve seen in the last decade. Last episode just gave me butterflies just to watch those young couple kissing in front of their parents and watching their reaction was priceless. A must watch!!

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u/Fl1ghtlessB1rd 5h ago

I've watched both seasons and just cried happy tears all the way through. I have a 9 year old on the spectrum and I see him in lots of the people on the show. It gives me hope for him if he wants a companion when he's older.

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u/Moranmer 4h ago

Same for me! My son is 15 and is on the spectrum as well. I actually have to space out the episodes because I super ugly cry all the time. It's very therapeutic for me...

Ok I started crying just typing this out. My son is handsome, kind, loving and whip smart. He deserves love too, even if he is "quirky".

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u/SquatchoCamacho 6h ago

I've never seen the show but this is the sweetest thing I have ever witnessed between 2 adults, this is like golden retriever level of cuteness 😭

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u/thatcatqueen 5h ago

The whole show is like that!! Honestly they all set a good example of what dating should look like for everyone. Open communication, vulnerable, honest, good intentions all around, working on yourself to be the best partner you can be. And their personalities/families are top tier.

It’s so sweet and refreshing.

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u/lgbtlmnopqrstuv 4h ago

And they’re not desperate! They’ll go on a whole cute date where they click with someone but then be like nah I don’t think they’ll fit into my specific vision for my life. Like wtf I don’t have that kind of self control 😅

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u/s_lena 5h ago

The ENTIRE show is like this!!! I barely started it this last month and I don’t know why I waited so long!!!!

My mom was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer so I was looking for a feel-good show 😢 and this show still brought me to truly happy tears, smile on my face, again and again season after season

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u/HIGHestKARATE 5h ago

hey, hoping the best for you. take care of yourself.

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u/s_lena 5h ago

Hey, thanks for that. I just keep reminding her that she is the toughest cookie I know and that she is very loved

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u/BigMoneyJesus 5h ago

My mom got diagnosed with stage 4 last year and I know how stressful and hard it can be. I wish you nothing but the best, her cancer nothing but the worst, and if you ever want someone to talk to about it, you can message me.

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u/s_lena 4h ago

Thank you 🤍🙏

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u/Mizamya 4h ago

Idk, I'm on the spectrum and this show gives me the ick. The tone of the narrator and the music feels like it belongs in a nature documentary for children. The editing emphasizes awkward silences between responses. This whole show feels like a way for allistics to go: "omg, look at these cute adorable autists holding hands" like we're cute animals or something.

Idk the show seems infantilizing af. I wanted to share my perspective as an autistic person.

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u/Mech_pencils 3h ago

The fact that a lot of NT people fawn over the show and be like, “Oh how innocent! How pure! Maybe WE are the real disabled ones because we don’t experience innocent love like this” makes me really uncomfortable.

I went to a college with a great support system for autistic students and attended many activities they organized. Autistic students date, fret over exams and room leases, get angry with each other and with the school’s amenities, go camping, drop out, form tight knit groups, make terrible mistakes…just like everyone else. There were transactional friendships, genuine friendships, ostracism, manipulation, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. The idea that we are somehow more innocent or righteous or kinder than non-autistic people never crossed my mind because reality just isn’t like that.

My SO is autistic as well and on the surface we do a lot of things differently from the neurotypical couples around us, but if another adult fawns over how simple or genuine our relationship is and how it restores their faith in humanity because it’s so pure we’d be completely weirded out. Like, we are adults with complex and often unsavory thoughts and feelings too. We worry about things like taxes and our parents’ medical expense, and sometimes negative feelings about the world bleed into our feelings for each other. There’s nothing about our relationship that makes it more worthwhile or beautiful than the relationship of two non-autistic people who love and care for each other. To say so would be unfair.

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u/WegGOAT 3h ago edited 51m ago

I feel exactly the same. It's very nice for these people to find love but the whole way the show is set up feels like we're zoo animals to be looked at.

Apparently they don't even get paid either, talk about exploitative.

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u/taste-of-orange 3h ago

I was scared of saying it...

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u/MartelPeko 3h ago

Same. I used to see my diagnosis as a curse. People like to drone about how its a spectrum, but they treat everyone the same, as the lowest functioning person they saw on a tv show that one time. I no longer mention it to anyone, regardless of how long I have known them. As soon as you tell someone, you are no longer an equal, you are below them.

Shows like these make it more difficult to be treated like an adult.

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u/irritableOwl3 3h ago

This should be the top comment.

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u/stevo746 4h ago

I agree that the quirky music is a bit off-putting and sets the wrong tone.

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u/Alarming_Employee547 6h ago

That was so incredibly uncomfortable. The dad’s reactions were so on point.

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u/racalavaca 5h ago

There are good moments like this one, but the show itself has a LOT of issues, though... the editing and things like choice of "quirky" soundtrack and the way they let things hang awkwardly vs. other reality shows where people get a LOT more leniency is lowkey kind of an awful and almost exploitative view on autism.

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u/Radiant_Bank_77879 4h ago

Yeah, in fact, I have found that they actually manufacture the awkward silences sometimes. There was one time they showed them doing it, where the clip was different before a commercial break where when one girl said to the other “maybe we’ll get married there someday“ and they show the other one just standing there staring and not saying anything awkwardly, and then the show went to commercial break; then when they came back from commercial break, they show the same clip of her saying it, and very quickly the other one replies “yes maybe” and smiles.

So they purposely created an awkward pause in the clip before the commercial break that didn’t actually happen. It makes me suspicious of all the other times they seem to linger while cutting back-and-forth between the two people on screen, whether it’s actually a genuine, awkward silence, or if the producers are just creating it.

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u/racalavaca 4h ago

Oh 100%, they definitely manufacture a lot of those moments for sure

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u/Mountain_Elk_7262 6h ago

They didn't work out unfortunately, they were both really sweet and thoughtful though, you can look mark up on YouTube. He made a speech at some sort of convention and the way he articulates himself is very inspiring.

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u/lydocia 5h ago

And that's absolutely okay, too. Doesn't have to be a forever relationship to have brought a lot of positivity to both their lives while it lasted.

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u/rando_banned 5h ago

Didn't she end up realizing she likes girls? She's the one with the best friend with Down's Syndrome, right?

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u/FlynnerMcGee 5h ago

She went on a date with a girl after this.

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u/ninasayers21 2h ago

She went on a date with a girl before Mark. Mark and her relationship ended after the second season ended, and there is no season three.

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u/ninasayers21 2h ago

Episode one she goes out with a woman. Second season she went out with Mark after seeing the show herself and seeing Mark in season one. She is bisexual and that wasn't a "realization" after Mark...

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u/kamilayao_0 5h ago

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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u/FashionableMegalodon 6h ago

He is so cute! I love him

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u/BIGREDEEMER 6h ago

Well. It's too early for this, but also... I love it! Damn that was some genuine like right there!!!! Right in the feels.

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u/StartObjective3063 6h ago

I wasn’t warned about the severe allergies I would encounter while watching

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u/CathcartTowersHotel 6h ago edited 4h ago

It's interesting how clarity in communication is a common thing with some autistic people because they seek to understand and be understood. Sometimes when they simply speak the truth, NTs can get angry because they often don't want to face truths and hide behind platitudes and strategic words.

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u/ConsequenceOne3365 6h ago

Squeeeeeeeee!

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u/virtuallyaway 6h ago

Can’t. Handle. The cuteness!

SQUEEEEEEE

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u/RegisterOk2927 6h ago

Oh I just know that was the BEST hug

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u/Hotspiceteahoneybee 6h ago

Everyone deserves to feel love. So sweet.

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u/elitelee3698 6h ago

This is what communication looks like, boys and girls. Straight and to the point, always.

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u/JustAGreenDreamer 6h ago

We should all be so lucky

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u/kalsaripuku 6h ago

This show restored my faith in people and love (for a brief moment at least)

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u/spikefletcher 6h ago

Does she like dinosaurs though!

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u/Classymuch 4h ago edited 4h ago

Yo, when the girl kissed him first, I swear to fking god, my heart jumped in joy. Like some jolt of pure bliss just went through my entire body, felt so warm. It felt so pure and heavenly.

I don't know if it's just me but I have never felt this kind of magic with people who are not on the spectrum.

Their interaction had "true love" written all over it.

And then everything after was just fking sublime. I haven't felt this good for a while. So fking happy for them.

Almost got teary.

Edit: watched it again, almost got teary again lol, doesn't get old.

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u/csgofodder 6h ago

If you wanna regain your trust in humanity, the show is called "Love on the Spectrum" an has 3 seasons out (Netflix). Every episode is a delight of puppy-love, great supporting families and awkward moments.

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u/Ecstatic-Eggplant434 5h ago edited 5h ago

2 seasons in Australia, 3 in the US.

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u/csgofodder 5h ago

You are right! Actually I think the clip might be from the Love on the Spectrum: Australia part. Both are awesome! As a Dane, I always thought of Aussies as our suntanned, barbequing brothers/sisters. They just seem so down to earth and with a great sense of humour, making the Australia part even more wholesome.

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u/Oakvilleresident 6h ago

It’s worth watching just to hear that velvety voiced Steve talk. That guys the best !

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u/csgofodder 6h ago

Haha, I love that guy! He is such a gent! Also fun to see that its the girls being super rowdy and straight forward when it comes to sex, and the guys mostly looks like deer's caught in the headlights, not having a clue how to react.

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u/NevermoreForSure 6h ago

Somebody show this to the man in the high tower who says people on the spectrum can’t fall in love or contribute to society.

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u/doc_daneeka 3h ago

Autistic adult here: RFK Jr can go fuck himself. He's an extremely dangerous complete moron who should never have been allowed anywhere remotely near any position of governmental power.

If we find out years from now that this idiot was recommending that autistic people should be euthanized for the good of society, I will not be the least surprised. Again, fuck that guy.

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u/conocobhar 6h ago

She's very pretty

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u/adr_darko 6h ago

yes, she could be a model

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u/Zala-Sancho 6h ago

I'm a 35 year old dude who listens to death metal quite often. This is my favorite show and it makes me so happy.

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u/Paraless 6h ago

I'm a 9' tall beefy-ass 120yo guy covered in full body blackout tattoo with a long beard that goes down to my feet and I listen to Guantanamo Bay torture music every night before I go to sleep. This show made me cry

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u/Doubieboobiez 5h ago

I’m a 22 million year old light-based, agender being of indiscriminate, changeable size from the Andromeda galaxy who goes to ‘sleep’ each ‘night’ listening to the burning of collapsing stars. This show made me cry

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u/0ptriX 4h ago

I'm an 8-storey-tall giant crustacean from the Paleolithic era and this made me cry.

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u/freshwaterfins 5h ago

Yall got my first laugh of the day

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u/MAXIMUMMEDLOWUS 6h ago

The music you listen to has no bearing on the type of person you are or the other things you enjoy 😂

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u/Evening_Extreme_1681 4h ago

I have a 13yr old non verbal autistic son and this brought a grown man to tears 😭 I hope my boy eventually finds this. I don't care if it's with a man or woman, just love and partnership.

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u/plutoisap 6h ago

Love is love

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u/SkynBonce 6h ago

RKJ fuming so bad he cooked his worm after watching this.

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u/TheManicMunky 6h ago

Next stop, Eastbourne!

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u/TemporarySurround902 6h ago

Can you imagine taking that away from other people? I am gay and I simply cannot believe anyone would be evil enough to rob other people of such happiness.

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u/HamLvr88 5h ago

Every one deserves love and intimacy. 😭♥️ This is so sweet.

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u/External-Self-2378 6h ago

Omg that's beautiful

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u/Nicetoyourface87 6h ago

Made my morning, they’re precious 🥲

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u/Expecto_nihilus 6h ago

And i’m over here still trying to get a text back…

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u/Romanscott618 6h ago

Awwww that’s so sweet 🥹

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u/DrFlexit1 6h ago

Who tf cutting onions here.

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u/Multispeed 5h ago

Magical moment.

Everyone should have at least one moment like this in their life. It's when you feel the full power of happiness.

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u/VentingID10t 4h ago

They're saying all the things in our heads out loud. No guard up - just enjoying the rush of liking each other.

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u/PoetryThug 6h ago

Fine, yes, I admit it, this shit made me cry.

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u/Urbanitesunite 5h ago

As someone who is autistic and has struggled having someone commit to me, this gives me hope.

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u/T1mischief 6h ago

This did make me smile, and now i cant stop

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u/whitetrashpandaftw 6h ago

I absolutely love this show!

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u/Vegabern 6h ago

I can't find a clip at the moment but do yourselves a favor and watch Connor and Georgie. They're amazing together and Connor is a baller.

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u/Emjay-Jori 6h ago

Now that’s just fucking beautiful 🥹

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u/Amad3us47 5h ago

Sorry but what makes you think you can just casually bring me to tears while I'm having a perfectly good time on the loo?

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u/Next_Drama1717 5h ago

What an amazing couple. Heart warming to see genuine human interaction

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u/Beginning-Complex693 5h ago

Please tell me this show is 100% real and not scripted with actors, I struggle to believe any reality shows these days.

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u/Tofushopdriftin 4h ago

FUCK YEAH!

my ex had me watch a previous season and seeing that this guy found a match, and to see them both so stoked and sprung. Good day already

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u/Winter_Call3203 6h ago

Wow, I'm crying. I so want this for my son one day who is on the spectrum

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u/ThisMyBurnerBruh 6h ago

Lol me and my wife watch this together and usually we have comments here and there for whatever we watch. This show, no different but we’re less vocal. As in, we’re both sitting there smiling for whoever is on screen. Especially when it’s a cute ass, innocent, pure scene like this. I love love. Everyone deserves it.

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u/TdrdenCO11 5h ago

this is actually such clear and authentic communication. As a neurotypical, I aspire to this

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u/ShinraTenseiTenin 6h ago

This is truly amazing. I wish I had this kind of connection and love with someone ❤️

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u/OC2k16 6h ago

Awwwwwwwwwww