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

Abstract

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.

The Female Autism Phenotype and Camouflaging: a Narrative Review

“…Secondly, most research into gender and camouflaging has used a binary approach to gender, comparing the experiences and behaviours of males and females. While this is of relevance to the concept of a female autism phenotype, in contrast to the often male-biased diagnostic criteria and assessment tools, this approach ignores the substantial minority of autistic individuals who report a non-binary or fluid gender identity (Cooper et al 2018;Dewinter et al 2017). It also raises issues regarding the appropriateness of male and female norms for transgender autistic individuals, who may have experiences of living and interacting as different genders in different stages of life (Strang et al 2018).…”

Pathological demand avoidance: What and who are being pathologised and in whose interests?

“…A boy may enjoy dressing up in a princess outfit because the feel of the fabric produces pleasurable or relaxing sensations or a girl may play with a toy tool box because she finds the rhythmic and persistent beat of the hammer on a wooden block alleviates her anxiety. While gender disidentification is experienced by male and female autistic people, female autists are more likely than their male counterparts and neurotypical people to report disidentification and 'not strictly identify as female' (Dewinter et al, 2017(Dewinter et al, : 2932; see also, Dewinter et al, 2013;Pecora et al, 2016).…”

Sexualität bei Erwachsenen mit (hochfunktionalen) Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen

“…Eine Geschlechtsdysphorie ist häufiger bei Menschen mit ASS anzutreffen, wobei ASS oder autistische Züge auch umgekehrt häufiger bei Menschen mit Geschlechtsdysphorie anzutreffen sind. So wurde eine größere Vielfalt geschlechtlicher Identitäten bei Menschen mit ASS gefunden sowie eine geringere Bereitschaft, sich dem binären Geschlechtssystem (männlich und weiblich) unterordnen zu wollen [15] [16]. Die Gründe hierfür sind vielfältig und schlussendlich nicht geklärt.…”