Intimacy and autism don’t have to be at odds. This inclusive, evidence-based guide for Autistic adults and their partners covers sensory needs, communication, masking, and practical ways to build deeper connection, written by a disability justice-affirming sex and relationship practitioner.
Sometimes the most intimate moments in your relationship are the smalliest: the familiar weight of a partner’s hand resting in your own, a kiss goodnight, or the grounding touch on the small of your back as you move past each other in the kitchen.
In our culture, conversations about long-term relationships often get tangled up in a narrow definition of sex. Many of us grew up believing that sexual frequency is the ultimate barometer of relationship health. We’re taught that if desire wanes or the mechanics of sex change, the relationship is doomed!
But as a professional, I’ve seen firsthand that true intimacy runs far deeper than physical acts. Reimagining connection In long-term relationships and sexless marriages is definitely possible! Especially during seasons of high stress, health challenges, or major life transitions like parenthood, couples often find themselves seeking new ways to stay tethered to one another.
The good news? Intimacy is not a single act; it is a practice. It is woven into the fabric of everyday life through touch, presence, and understanding. By expanding our definition of “closeness,” we can build long-term relationships that are not just resilient but deeply satisfying, regardless of what is happening in the bedroom.
When we think about aging, the cultural narrative often focuses on retirement planning, physical health maintenance, and spending time with grandchildren. Conspicuously absent from mainstream conversations is the topic of sexual health and intimacy in our later years!
The pervasive myth of the “asexual senior” does a massive disservice to older adults, particularly those navigating the complexities of changing bodies. The reality is that intimacy, desire, and sexual connection do not have an expiration date. However, they do evolve.
Are you and your partner feeling more like roommates than lovers lately? If the “honeymoon phase” feels like a distant memory, you aren’t alone. Between work, kids, and the general exhaustion of modern life, intimacy and closeness often take a backseat to the never-ending “to-do” list. Here are a few intimacy & relationship hacks for a more passionate, closer love life!
If you’re Googling “how do I communicate with my Autistic partner?” there’s a solid chance you’re dealing with conflict, misunderstandings, or constantly being on a different book rather than the same page. A lot of relationship advice is written for neurotypical communication styles, fast processing, subtext, flexible attention, easy tone-reading, and quick emotional regulation. If […]
If you live with ME/CFS, Long COVID, or a similar chronic illness, you already know your illness’s cruel little plot twist: the things that help you feel connected (touch, closeness, pleasure, date nights) can also be the things that tip your body into post-exertional malaise (PEM) or added fatigue. And when PEM becomes a risk, intimacy can start to feel like a gamble. You might avoid it entirely (“not worth it”), or push through and pay for it later. This blog post is here to offer a third option: low-energy intimacy ideas. This is connection and pleasure that respects your body’s limits.
Healthy communication is really tough in relationships. It can be especially tough when neurodivergence enters the picture because our brains may process language, tone, sensory input, time, and emotions differently. Add masking, burnout, rejection sensitivity, demand avoidance, time-blindness, literalness, trauma histories, chronic stress, or just plain overstimulation, and suddenly a “simple conversation” turns into something much bigger! If you’re an autistic, ADHD, or other neurodivergence couple (or one of you is neurodivergent and one of you isn’t), these tips for healthy communication for neurodivergent couples are built for you!
Living with chronic illnesses like ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or Long COVID can turn everyday activities into potential fatigue-inducing minefields, even activities that are supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing, like sex. One of the hallmark symptoms these conditions share is post-exertional malaise (PEM). If you’ve ever felt like you “paid” for an activity with a massive crash afterward, PEM is likely to blame. In this blog, what is post-exertional malaise (PEM) and why does sex trigger it?
Most of us were never taught how to communicate in a healthy way, yet we’re supposed to be amazing at conflict, boundaries, and healthy communication with…zero training. If you ever leave a conversation thinking, “How did I end up here?” or “What just happened?” This blog post is for you.
Society has taught us that intimacy equals intercourse and penetration. The thing is, there will probably come a time that this sexual script will no longer serve you. So let’s redefine intimacy!