Survey explores sexuality in adolescents, adults with ASD

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are less likely to identify as heterosexual and more likely to identify with other sexual orientations than are those without ASD, according to a new study. 

Elizabeth Weir and colleagues used an anonymous online self-report survey to study the sexual activity, sexual orientation, and sexual health of 1,183 autistic and 1,203 non-autistic adolescents and adults ranging in age from 16 to 90 years. They note that their study is the largest to date to investigate the sexual orientations of adolescents and adults with ASD. 

The researchers report, “Our findings bolster previous evidence that autistic individuals identify with a wider range of sexual orientations than others. Our results clarify that autistic males are uniquely more likely to identify as bisexual than other males and autistic females are uniquely more likely to identify as homosexual than other females—suggesting that autistic adults do not conform to the same sex-specific patterns of sexual orientation observed in the general population.” The study found that males with ASD were 3.5 times more likely to identify as bisexual than non-autistic males, and females with ASD were three times more likely to identify as homosexual than non-autistic females. 

Overall, the researchers say, “[A]utistic individuals are 8.1 and 7.6 times more likely to self-report identifying as asexual or ‘other’ sexual orientation than non-autistic individuals, respectively.” 

The researchers also found that 70% of males with ASD and 76% of females with ASD engage in sexual activity, compared to 89% of both non-autistic males and females. There were no differences between individuals with and without ASD when it came to the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or the age at which the individuals first engaged in sexual activity. 

The researchers conclude, “Providers should… be aware that autistic individuals may be more likely to identify with a wider spectrum of genders and sexualities, and their language should be affirming and inclusive of all these identities, particularly when discussing sexual education, sexual health, and consent.” In addition, they say, given that individuals with ASD are as likely to contract an STI as their non-autistic counterparts, “improving sexual education and ensuring regular gynecological/sexual health appointments for autistic adolescents and adults across the spectrum should remain a priority.”

Citations

“The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults,” Elizabeth Weir, Carrie Allison, and Simon Baron-Cohen, Autism Research, September 2021 (free online). Address: Elizabeth Weir, Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, [email protected]. —and— “Autistic individuals are more likely to be LGBTQ+,” news release, University of Cambridge, September 20, 2021