I’d like to learn about social networks and online dating for LD adults. I have a 22 year-old nephew in Los Angeles who would love to date. Any advice?
Given the explosion in online dating in recent years, I did a quick search for sites that tailor to individuals with disabilities. There are a number of relevant websites to consider, but many of these seem to be geared towards individuals with physical disabilities. However, your nephew might want to check out a few to look at some profiles. The Whispy directory(opens in a new window) has a good list, with everything from dating sites for the deaf and those for individuals with neurological disabilities.
Depending on how your nephew’s learning disabilities and social skills affect his relationships, he may want to consider joining a group locally for adults with LD. There he might find support and friendship from other adults in similar situations and perhaps get some dating/relationship advice. Meetup(opens in a new window) is a good choice for finding groups locally. When searching for Los Angeles, I found a number of groups for adults with ADHD, adults with high functioning autism/Asperger’s, and others. Meetup is also a great way to find local groups that share your nephew’s interests. Meetup groups exist for just about any topic or interest you can think of — from monthly wine and cheese parties to knitting clubs to hiking groups or Scrabble players. Your nephew is sure to find at least one group in his area, and it can be a great way to meet people and make new friends.
Finally, it might be helpful for your nephew to read a bit about how his learning disability and potential social skill deficits can affect his relationships and life beyond school. It can be difficult to make the transition from school to the “real world” and navigate new relationships on your own, but there a number of excellent resources and groups(opens in a new window) that can help.