“I think Matilda is starting to understand that autism affects me a lot,” Niles explains after Matilda confronts him about his comment.

90 days‘s Niles opens up about the challenges of dating with autism after upsetting Matilda with some of his comments.

In PEOPLE’s exclusive sneak peek at the Nov. 10 episode of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 DaysNiles helps Matilda sell plantains for the family business when he is confronted with a negative comment about his family’s home in Ghana, which he compared to a prison.

The 27-year-old quickly apologized after his girlfriend explained to him how hurtful the comment could have been to his mother if she had actually heard it.

Matilda then asks if Niles’ response is due to his autism, sparking a conversation that Niles is, admittedly, “afraid” to have.

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“I think Matilda is starting to understand that autism affects me greatly, not least of which is me being open to the truth,” Niles explains in a confessional. “Even though I know what I’m supposed to do, it’s hard to follow through.”

He adds: “This is an example of how dating and relationships are not easy for me. This is simply not the case.

Niles takes the opportunity to talk more with Matilda about “masking,” a coping mechanism in which autistic people act in specific ways to appear neurotypical.

He tells Matilda that he often wears a mask to avoid offending people, but will often be criticized for “lying” in doing so. “When do I tell the truth and when do I mask myself? Niles thought.

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“If it were me, you could tell the truth,” Matilda responds. “But you know that when we go to my family’s house or to a public place… that one I don’t like.”

Niles says change probably won’t happen overnight, but promised to “try not to mask anymore” around Matilda.

Matilda fears that Niles will leave her because she has expressed concerns about his autism and its impact on their relationship.

But Niles is just happy that Matilda is talking to him about her wants and needs. “I’m glad you’re talking to me,” Niles explains. “Tell me what you want, it’s actually a big relief.”

In a confessional, Niles reveals that people have “abandoned” him in the past when things got tough.

Rather than expecting him to improve on his own like the others, Niles says, “Matilda is teaching me how I should treat her, and I’m glad she’s willing to do that for me.” »

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90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC.