Not Doing it Properly? (Re)producing and Resisting Knowledge Through Narratives of Autistic Sexualities

Abstract

Autism is conceptualized in much scientific literature as being associated with restricted and repetitive interests, characterized by an 'empathy deficit', and negatively impacting social communication. Meanwhile, 'good and healthy' sexuality is largely considered to be a social endeavor: asexuality and sexualities defined by acts rather than by partner gender-for example kink or BDSM-are broadly pathologized. Perhaps, therefore, first-hand autistic experiences of sexuality challenge existing assumptions about 'good and healthy' sexualities within couplehood. As a theoretical starting point to explore this potential, we revisit Gayle Rubin's notion of 'sex within the charmed circle' to ask whether autistic sexuality can ever truly 'fit' within this (neurotypically defined) virtuous sexual arena. We further consider the ways in which the intersection of autism and sexuality is understood and experienced in first-hand autistic accounts of sexuality within a specific context, through analysis of a Swedish online discussion forum in which autistic people discuss sexuality. In doing so we seek both to better understand autistic sexual experience, and to track and deconstruct potentially restrictive assumptions of (non-autistic) couple sexuality more generally. We also consider ways in which assumptions of deficit concerning both nonnormative sexualities and autism may have a deleterious effect on autistic people and on research more broadly, limiting theoretical and conceptual understandings of autism and autistic ways of (sexual) being by a default comparison to sexual and neurological norms.

Biosociality in Online Interactions: Youths’ Positioning of the Highly Sensitive Person Category

“…Similarly, in this article, many youths engaged in the norms of biosociality, establishing a supportive, yet normative online space. Thus, the HSP subjectivity can be comprehended as young people constructing epistemological communities where they share experience-based knowledge (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist & Jackson-Perry, 2020). Simultaneously, they are responding to ignorant and/or negative notions about HSP and disseminate knowledge concerning their needs (Edenroth-Cato, 2019).…”

“…Here, the HSP category is considered within a wider discussion about health where demarcations are negotiated. Inspired by feminist theoretical thinking, such discursive practices can be understood as epistemological communities (Nelson, 1993) and epistemic authority (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist & Jackson-Perry, 2020; Oikkonen, 2013). According to Bertilsdotter Rosqvist and Jackson-Perry’s (2020) research within the field of critical autism studies, there is an internal conflict among autistic self-advocacy groups.…”

“…Inspired by feminist theoretical thinking, such discursive practices can be understood as epistemological communities (Nelson, 1993) and epistemic authority (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist & Jackson-Perry, 2020; Oikkonen, 2013). According to Bertilsdotter Rosqvist and Jackson-Perry’s (2020) research within the field of critical autism studies, there is an internal conflict among autistic self-advocacy groups. On the one hand, there are activists who refer to the biomedical ‘story’ of autism and, on the other, there are those who argue that autism should be considered a neuroatypical difference.…”

“…Laypeople and experts disseminate descriptions of symptoms, criteria and diagnostic tests via various media platforms (Edenroth-Cato, 2018; Edenroth-Cato et al, 2016; Giles & Newbold, 2011; Skagius et al, 2018). Such knowledge influences how people identify themselves as individuals with particular brains, bodies and personalities (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist & Jackson-Perry, 2020; Fox et al, 2005; Mogensen & Mason, 2015; Ortega & Choudhury, 2011). This article examines how young people in a Swedish online forum and in blogs engage with one such popularized psychological label and personality trait, the highly sensitive person (HSP), and how they position themselves in relation to this category as part of discussing and accounting for who they are, their experiences in life and their histories of illness, health and well-being.…”

“…She claims that neurological differences, such as those related to autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, have often been unfavourably understood by society as something negative, a weakness, or a disorder (Edenroth-Cato, 2018). Among autistic self-advocacy groups, it has become increasingly common to talk about autism as a neuroatypical difference rather than a deficit (Bertilsdotter Rosqvist & Jackson-Perry, 2020).…”