Valentine’s Day was extended an extra day for a select group of Shippensburg University students Wednesday evening with the showing of the documentary film “Autism in Love.”

Students knew they would receive extra credit for attending the film hosted by sociology professor Allison Carey but what they did not expect was to have their heart strings tugged at by the lovable, and sometimes tragic, characters of the documentary.

“Autism in Love” follows the lives of four individuals who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is a group of developmental disorders that include a “spectrum” of symptoms, skills and levels of disability, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The film concentrates on how ASD affects a person’s ability to develop romantic relationships as an adult, and offers a window into how they

feel and experience love.

The first character introduced in the film is Lenny, a young man who lives in Los Angeles, California, with his single mother. Lenny is fully aware he is different from everyone else and tries to be “normal,” but his disability hinders his ability to meet and date girls.

The next set of characters introduced in the film are Dave and Lindsey who are in their early to mid-30s, and are classified as “high functioning” on the ASD spectrum. Lindsey is artistic while Dave is more science oriented, but despite their quirks and differences, they

have been in a happy relationship for the past eight years.

The final character introduced is Stephen, whose autism is more apparent than the other characters in the film. Stephen is first introduced alone and living with his parents, but it is later revealed he has a wife who he has been married to for 17 years.

As the film continues, the personal challenges of each character are looked at more in-depth. Lenny grows increasingly frustrated with

his ASD label and expresses his desire to start his life over as a “normal” man.

A closer look into Lindsey and Dave’s relationship shows how Lindsey suffers from extreme self-consciousness and is crippled by her vulnerability, while Dave has trouble expressing how he feels. Dave sees love as a mathematical equation and often talks about his and

Lindsey’s relationship in scientific terms — removing all emotion and tenderness.

Finally, the audience learns that Stephen’s wife, Gita, has been battling ovarian cancer for the last three years, which is why they do not live together. Although Stephen’s behavior appears very robotic and unemotional during the film, it is evident he loves Gita, which

leaves the audience wondering how he will react if Gita’s health worsens.

By the end of the film, Lenny has secured a job and is working toward a more independent lifestyle. Dave learns to share his feelings with Lindsey and asks her to marry him, and Lindsey allows herself to feel vulnerable and accept Dave’s love and proposal with open

arms.

Unfortunately, Stephen’s story does not end happily — Gita dies of ovarian cancer. Although Stephen explains Gita’s death in straightforward terms and with little emotion, it is clear he is suffering and is greatly affected by the loss.

The conclusion of the film and the short stories of the characters lives showed that although people with ASD are different from “normal” people, everyone shares common obstacles in life, and more importantly, everyone has a desire to give and receive love.

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