The aspects of autism that can make everyday life challenging-reading social cues, understanding another's perspectives, making small talk and exchanging niceties-can be seriously magnified when it comes to dating. “We can be interested, but have no way to tell if they're interested in us.”
“I think of romance as things that make sense and are logical.” However, she didn't know why until this year when, at the age of 31, when she was diagnosed with autism.
“People tend to think of romance as spur of the moment and exciting,” she told me. The former Miss America system contestant and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music-trained opera singer knew she had a different conception of romance than her previous boyfriends had and, for that matter, everyone else. “Honestly, if you want to be romantic with me, send an email through Outlook and give me all the possible dates, locations, and times, so that I can prepare,” she said. The way to Paulette's heart is through her Outlook calendar.