Love on the Spectrum received positive reviews from most critics when its first season was released, including a 100-percent critical rating on
Rotten Tomatoes and a "Stream it!" from
Decider. Some critics highlighted format changes they felt were positive improvements when compared to the Australian version of the show. For example, the American version expanded the age range of the cast by featuring 63-year-old Steve Spitz, featured more types of dating experiences (e.g., online dating, high-school relationships and relationships with non-autistic people), featured a dating coach who is herself autistic and cast participants with co-occurring disabilities (
ADHD,
dyslexia, etc.). Not all of the differences were praised, however; the absence of
LGBTQ relationships in the first season was critiqued. In season two, Journey Early, a
lesbian, joined the cast. It was also later revealed that Dani Bowman, who is shown only going on dates with men in the show, is
pansexual and
heteroromantic. Autistic author and blogger Allison Wall wrote, "Yes, there are problem areas, but in my estimation, the positives outweigh the negatives. Autistic people are shown as empathetic, humanized individuals with a variety of abilities and skills, with agency, as adults, in romantic situations." Wall did question the choice of dating venues, including restaurants. Wall noted, "An environment like that, for me, is not conducive for getting to know a stranger... Would it have been difficult to tailor the dating environments more to what the participants were comfortable with?" As the series progressed, it continued to receive praise for its authentic and empathetic portrayal of autistic adults navigating dating. Certain moments gained viral attention on social media, such as candid reactions. Later storylines became more evolved in highlighting complex dynamics in a relationship, even including the first on-screen breakup of a returning couple. ==Awards and nominations==