Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Experiences Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Implications for Sex Education

Barnett, Jessica Penwell; Maticka‐Tyndale, Eleanor

doi:10.1363/47e5715

Cited by 84 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…It might be possible that a small minority exists that does not, or to a lesser degree, experience sexual arousal. Feelings of asexuality in adults with ASD have also been previously reported [ 10 , 38 – 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder growing up: follow-up of self-reported sexual experience

Dewinter

Vermeiren

Vanwesenbeeck

et al. 2016

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry

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Systematic research on sexual development in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains scant, notwithstanding the often-suggested relation between ASD, atypical, and even sexually offensive behaviours. This study compared follow-up data related to lifetime sexual experience (LTSE) in a homogeneous group of adolescent boys with ASD (n = 30), aged 16–20, with a matched group of boys in the general population (n = 60). Most boys in the ASD and control groups reported masturbation and having experienced an orgasm. The proportion of boys with ASD that had no partnered sexual experience was larger than in the control group. This difference was mostly explained by significantly fewer boys with ASD, compared with controls, who reported experience with kissing and petting; no significant differences emerged relating to more intimate partnered sexual experiences. The results suggest the existence of a subgroup of boys who have not (yet) entered the arena of partnered sexual experiences—a finding in line with research in adult samples. There were no differences relating to sexual abuse or coercion. Exploration of the partnered experiences revealed a variety of types of partners, mostly of comparable age. Several boys with ASD had not anticipated their sexual debut. Although they felt ready for it, some boys reported regret afterward. The hypothesised sexual developmental trajectories are subject to further research, but the sexual experience in this sample and the assumed developmental differences indicate the need for early, attuned, and comprehensive sexuality-related education and communication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder growing up: follow-up of self-reported sexual experience

Dewinter

Vermeiren

Vanwesenbeeck

et al. 2016

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry

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show abstract

“…Here this would mean producing qualitative research into autistic peoples' sexual and intimate lives without taking as a starting point an assumption of deficit, or certain non-autistic expectations of what counts as 'sexual'. This call for qualitative research soliciting the views and experiences of autistic people has been made for decades [46,47]. With the increasing interest in studying sexuality generally [48], and a growing understanding that the complexity of human sexuality and gender identity is not currently captured by traditional research methods and categories [40,49,50] perhaps the time is now ripe to carry out this research.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ordinary spontaneous playful and loving sex is absolutely wonderful!' 45 A possibly higher proportion of autistic people identifying as LGBTQ is explained either through differences between autistic and non-autistic sexualities, 46 or with different ways of talking about or practicing sexuality in relation to different social norms. Autistic people may have difficulties with hiding non-conformative sexualites, don't think that it may be inappropriate to talk about it in certain contexts, 47 or are less likely to supress 'deviant' sexual preferences as a result of social pressure than non-autistic people.…”

Section: Non-normative Sexualitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Rosqvist

Jackson-Perry

2020

Sex Disabil

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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.

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“…First, findings relating to sexual orientation (feeling attraction to someone of the same sex, the other sex or both sexes) in adolescents and adults with ASD varied. Some studies found similar proportions of same sex attraction or experience (5–10%) among participants with ASD and TD peers (Dewinter et al 2015 ; Fernandes et al 2016 ), while other studies reported higher levels of non-heterosexual feelings and experiences in ASD (Barnett and Maticka-Tyndale 2015 ; Gilmour et al 2012 ; Strunz et al 2017 ) compared to the general population. In the US population (Copen et al 2016 ) 17.4% of girls and women, and 6.2% of boys and men (age 18–44) reported same-sex experiences at some point during their lifetime.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Romantic Relationships in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Dewinter

Graaf

Begeer

2017

J Autism Dev Disord

201

109

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This study compared sexual orientation and romantic relationship experience in a large sample of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n = 675) and general population peers (n = 8064). Gender identity was explored in the ASD group in relation to assigned gender at birth. Compared to general population peers, more people with ASD, especially women, reported sexual attraction to both same- and opposite-sex partners. About half of the participants with ASD was in a relationship (heterosexual in most cases) and most of them lived with their partner. A notable number of autistic participants, again more women than men, reported gender non-conforming feelings. Attention to gender identity and sexual diversity in education and clinical work with people with ASD is advised.

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Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Experiences Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Implications for Sex Education

Cited by 84 publications

References 34 publications

Adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder growing up: follow-up of self-reported sexual experience

Adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder growing up: follow-up of self-reported sexual experience

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

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Romantic Relationships in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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