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The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Abstract

Abstract: Small studies suggest significant differences between autistic and nonautistic individuals regarding sexual orientation and behavior. We administered an anonymized, online survey to n = 2386 adults (n = 1183 autistic) aged 16–90 years to describe sexual activity, risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual orientation. Autistic individuals are less likely to report sexually activity or heterosexuality compared to nonautistic individuals, but more likely to self‐report asexuality or an ‘other’ sexuality. Overall, autistic, and nonautistic groups did not differ in age of sexual activity onset or contraction of STIs. When evaluating sex differences, autistic males are uniquely more likely to be bisexual (compared to nonautistic males); conversely, autistic females are uniquely more likely to be homosexual (compared to nonautistic females). Thus, both autistic males and females may express a wider range of sexual orientations in different sex‐specific patterns than general population peers. When comparing autistic males and females directly, females are more likely to have diverse sexual orientations (except for homosexuality) and engage in sexual activity, are less likely to identify as heterosexual, and have a lower mean age at which they first begin engaging in sexual activity. This is the largest study of sexual orientation of autistic adults. Sexual education and sexual health screenings of all children, adolescents, and adults (including autistic individuals) must remain priorities; healthcare professionals should use language that affirms a diversity of sexual orientations and supports autistic individuals who may have increased risks (affecting mental health, physical health, and healthcare quality) due to stress and discrimination from this intersectionality.

Description

Funder: Applied Health Research and Care (ARC‐EoE); Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100012358


Funder: Corbin Charitable Trust


Funder: Medical Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265


Funder: National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)


Funder: Templeton World Charity Foundation; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011730


Funder: University of Cambridge; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000735


Funder: Department of Health; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003921


Funder: Health Research; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100005622


Funder: National Institute for Health Research; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000272


Funder: Biomedical Research Centre; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100014461


Funder: AUTISM SPEAKS; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100000073


Funder: Horizon 2020; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010661


Funder: European Union; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000780


Funder: Innovative Medicines Initiative; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100010767


Funder: Wellcome Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010269

Keywords

RESEARCH ARTICLE, RESEARCH ARTICLES, adults, adolescents, sexual health, sexual orientation, sexual activity

Journal Title

Autism Research

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1939-3792
1939-3806

Volume Title

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sponsorship
Autism Research Trust (G72423)
Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (G102307)
Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) (777394)
Rosetrees Trust (G102199, G102307, RG72423)
Wellcome Trust (214322\Z\18\Z)