The lens of autism and love: a photovoice study

Using a participatory photovoice approach, we examined how autistic young adults with no prior romantic relationship experience conceptualized romance. Six autistic young adults (20–30 years old) took photographs that depicted romanticism and participated in individual photovoice interviews. We analyzed the data using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by a critical realist perspective and attentive to the cultural context shaping participants’ accounts. We identified three interconnected themes: The Meaning Map of the Heart, reflecting emotional commitment, mutual completion, unexpectedness, and emotional intensity; Emotional Shelters, framing relationships as a space of safety, growth, and peace; and The Burden of Love, capturing concerns about jealousy, heartbreak, and loss of autonomy. Our findings highlight that autistic young adults imagine romantic relationships as closeness, trust, and sharing, while also recognizing potential emotional risks within them. By foregrounding these voices, the study demonstrates the value of photovoice for participatory and culturally situated autism research.