Season 2
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But the inherent honesty of the participants, coupled with sensitive production values, made this a very different and in many ways more affecting show. Picked up by Netflix, Love on the Spectrum returns to the ABC for a second five-part season, featuring its breakout star, 27-year-old aspiring voice actor and quintessential gentleman Michael.
“People were drawn to my blunt sense of humour, my dapper style and my hilarious one liners, even though I’m not trying to be funny,” says Michael, who has enjoyed his unexpected celebrity.
“It was flattering. When I was growing up, I felt ignored and overlooked, so this was definitely different. The fact that my fan base is now global, I feel like people are wanting to pay attention to me now.”
Rodgers is not concerned about the effect of fame on the participants.
“Autistic people are making their own choices. I’m not worried about them. These people are in their 20s … They’re all over social media and reality TV.”
In her daily practice, Rodgers is a counsellor and sexologist for people with autism and intellectual disabilities. She champions their right to form intimate relationships. Due to her increased profile, her stance has attracted the ire of some members of the online autistic community, who accuse her of pushing “ableist porn”.
“Relationships are essential to life and people with autism are no different,” she says. “We’ve all got difficulties when it comes to dating. Diagnostically, autistic people have differences in the ways that they socially interact, therefore they have to go over a hurdle where they need to understand the nuance of social interaction.”
The new season, which includes other returnees, dinosaur enthusiast Mark, and engaged couple Jimmy and Sharnae as well as new faces, sees some of the participants date neurotypical singles. In the first episode, Michael attends a mainstream speed-dating night.
He believes people with autism “shouldn’t be treated differently to neurotypical people. Autism is a gift, not something to be ashamed of.”
Love on the Spectrum returns Tuesday, May 18 at 8.30pm on the ABC
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Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity.
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman