This structured PDF presentation (full lesson) is designed for individuals with ASD and those with social communication differences. It teaches practical online safety skills across the full range of places people meet romantically today — dating apps, social media, gaming, and special-interest communities — including how general-audience and autism-specific dating platforms differ, and how to verify who someone actually is before trust and money are ever on the line.

What is covered:

Where Online Dating Actually Happens — dating apps, social media, gaming, and special-interest communities
General Dating Platforms vs Autism-Specific Platforms — the trade-offs of each, and what to check before joining any platform
Why This Can Be Harder for Individuals with ASD — including trusting, literal interpretation and fast-building trust through shared special interests
The Universal Struggle — reassurance that being deceived online is a widely shared experience, not a unique vulnerability
Protecting Your Profile Privacy — practical, concrete steps
Verifying Who You Are Talking To — consistency checks, video calls, and when a reverse image search is actually worth doing
Recognising Red Flags — including a note distinguishing genuine red flags from honest autistic traits such as video-call anxiety
Why Do People Do This — the motivations behind catfishing and romance scams, with current UK fraud statistics
Worked Examples — the fast mover, and the special-interest connection
Practice Scenarios and Activity Feedback — realistic scenarios with generalised feedback
Group Discussion — open-ended questions for personal and general reflection
Practical Tips and Key Takeaways

Suitable for:

• Individuals with ASD and those with social communication differences aged 18+
• 1:1 sessions or small group work
• SEN specialists, instructors, support workers, and parents

Format: PDF presentation
Session time: Approximately 40 minutes

All content uses clear, literal, and neutral language throughout. Resources are universally applicable, with no political, ideological, or religious content.

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