Sexual Orientation in High-Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background:

Clinical impressions indicate a sexual profile within the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) population unlike that seen in the general population that is suggestive of a wide range of sexual orientations. However, little is presently known about the demographics of sexual orientation in ASD.

Objectives:

We hypothesized that there would be an increased prevalence of non-heterosexual orientations within the ASD population.

Methods:

We surveyed sexual orientations with the Sell Scale of Sexual Orientation in an international sample of individuals with ASD (N= 309, M=90, F= 219), aged (M=32.30 years, SD=11.93) and compared these rates to those of typically-developing individuals (N=310, M= 84, F= 226), aged (M=29.82 years, SD=11.85). We also compared qualitative responses using thematic analysis, related to sexuality-related attitudes of 109 individuals with ASD (41 males, 68 females) with 70 TD individuals (36 males, 34 females).

Results:

When compared to TD individuals, individuals with ASD demonstrated significantly higher sexual diversity (χ²= 45.85, p< 0.001, φ=0.39), and this diversity was greater among females than males with ASD. The ASD group reported higher rates of homosexuality (males OR= 2.53, p< .05; females OR= 1.87, p=.06), and asexuality (males OR= 4.18, p< .05; females OR= 2.58, p< .001), but lower rates of heterosexuality (males OR= 0.25, p< .001; females OR= 0.45, p< .01). Findings from the qualitative study demonstrated that relative to TD individuals, individuals with ASD reported the birth-sex of their romantic partner as being less important (χ²= 52.48, p< 0.001, φ=0.56), more discontentment with their own sexual orientation, which was likely to fluctuate based on life-experiences (χ²= 69.66, p< 0.001, φ=0.65), and were more approving of non-heterosexuality (χ²= 15.34, p< 0.001, φ=0.30). The ASD group reported poorer mental health than controls and belonging to a non-heterosexual group worsened this effect.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that ASD presents unique challenges to the formation and consolidation of sexual identity. It is important that clinicians working with ASD are aware of the sexual diversity in this population, so that the necessary support for healthy socio-sexual functioning and mental well-being is provided.