Autistic Narratives of Sensory Features, Sexuality, and Relationships

Abstract

Background: Research about the experience of sexuality and intimacy for autistic people has largely excluded the potential influences of autistic sensory features, which are highly common. The aim of this study was to explore how autistic sensory features influence autistic people's experiences of sexuality and relationships, including the impact of low and high neurological threshold sensory patterns and regarding specific sensory modalities. Methods: Utilizing a qualitative approach, we explored autistic people's perspectives about the influences of sensory features on their experiences of sexuality and relationships through existing publicly available narratives (5 books and 13 online forums containing messages from 72 unique usernames) and responses to an openended survey question (N = 49). We used deductive coding based on Dunn's model of sensory processing, as well as inductive coding to identify additional themes about autistic sensory features and sexuality. Results: Our findings indicated that sexual and relationship experiences were related to both sensory sensitivity and sensation seeking (i.e., low and high threshold sensory patterns) across several sensory modalities, including touch, sight, sound, and smell. Sensory features influenced autistic people's sexual and relationship experiences in both positive and negative ways. Examined narratives revealed adaptations and strategies used by autistic people to enhance or enable engagement in sexual activity as well as implications for their sexual identity. Conclusions: Sensory features and their impact on the sexuality and relationship experiences of autistic people should be considered in clinical practice and educational programming. More research is needed to further understand the impact of autistic sensory features on experiences of sexuality and relationships, and to develop effective strategies to promote safe and satisfying engagement, when desired.

Brainstem white matter microstructure is associated with hyporesponsiveness and overall sensory features in autistic children

“…The distinct brainstem-hyporesponsiveness relationships in the autistic compared to the non-autistic groups suggest that: 1) hyporesponsiveness in non-autistic children may be neurobiologically distinct from hyporesponsiveness in autistic children in ways that current behavioral measures may not distinguish, or 2) hyporesponsiveness in autistic and non-autistic children may be an example of multifinality, in which differing neurobiological etiologies lead to similar behavioral symptoms. In either scenario, the associations among brainstem microstructural features and hyporesponsiveness in autism underscore the reflex-like orienting of hyporesponsiveness [44] and help to recontextualize the self-reports of autistic individuals [98,99] where behavioral responses to sensory stimuli are reported to feel outside of volitional control. Therefore, therapies that use external reward or punishment to target sensory features may be unlikely to be successful as they assume volitional control and are unlikely to target the brainstem-based neural circuitry that may underlie sensory hyporesponsiveness in autistic individuals.…”

“Until I Had My Son, I Did Not Realise That These Characteristics Could Be Due to Autism”: Motherhood and Family Experiences of Spanish Autistic Mothers

“…Along this line, it is important that they can feel comfortable when they find a partner who is aware of their singularities, and who understands and accepts them. 20,24,26 Finally, regarding the fourth main theme -The influence of anxiety on coexistence with the partner. and upbringing of the children, of autistic mothers -we can see how motherhood experiences could be viewed as stressful due to their propensity for emotional meltdowns, usually from sensory overload.…”

“…11,16,23 Nevertheless, this sensory processing can affect not only the bond with the child but also the relationship with their partners, both at the level of shared care and the affective-sexual relationship. [24][25][26] We must bear in mind that autistic women can face a variety of life challenges, which can be exacerbated in times of stressful life changes, such as motherhood. Thus, the role played by partners, close friends, and family is crucial.…”

Interpersonal Distance Theory of Autism and Its Implication for Cognitive Assessment, Therapy, and Daily Life

“…Social interactions are inherently complex and in addition to the spatial dimension (e.g., preferred IPD), additional factors need to be considered. The sensory preferences (e.g., hypersensitivity) and the ability to communicate them are highly relevant while having sex (Gray et al, 2021). We think that low IPD could more easily result in sensory overstimulation and that some autistic people can cope with this difficulty and enjoy sexual activity, whereas others voluntarily deprive themselves of sexual experiences, at least partly, to avoid sensory overstimulation.…”