Infatuation and attachment : How do they differ in autism and neurodiversity?

Little is known about potential differences in the relationship area in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Most research to date has assumed that autistic people have the same relationship preferences and the same attachment process as typical (neurotypical) people. Here, the attachment process of people with autistic traits (atypical/neurodiverse people) was compared to the attachment process of typical people and people diagnosed with ASD. The primary increase in attachment occurred at a distance in the atypical and ASD population and with dating in the typical. People in the atypical and ASD population had higher infatuation scores. People with ASD diagnosis, but also atypical females, were more frequently involved in love at a distance than their typical counterparts, while people in the typical population were more often in relationships.