Insights from a Qualitative Analysis of Sexual Minority-Identifying Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more likely to endorse a sexual minority orientation than those with typical development (TD, DeWinter et al., 2017). However, no empirical studies have examined factors that contribute to higher rates of sexual minority orientation in ASD. A biopsychosocial model has been proposed for sexual orientation development in TD individuals (Dillon, Worthington, & Moradi, 2011). This model may have applicability to sexual minority orientation development in individuals with ASD, but this has yet to be explored. Qualitative data analytic methods may yield insights into whether these factors capture the unique experiences of sexual minority individuals with ASD.

Objectives: 1) Identify themes related to sexual minority orientation in individuals with ASD and 2) compare themes to extant model for TD.

Methods: Eleven participants with ASD ages 18-30 (mean age 23.5; 7 female, 3 non-binary, 1 male; 8 Caucasian, 1 Asian, 1 African-American, 1 Other) who identified as sexual minorities provided qualitative responses to questions related to sexual minority orientation development either in person (n= 1) or through an online questionnaire (n= 10). Questions were based on the six factors of the model or on other relevant themes identified in the literature (openness to discussing sexuality, characteristics of participant’s romantic and sexual relationships). The data were examined using thematic analysis: responses were double-coded by the first two authors into groups based on which of the theoretical themes they best represented. Data that were judged by both coders to not fit one of the relevant theoretical themes were grouped together under a new theme.

Results: A total of ten themes emerged from the data. Eight were theoretical themes (biology, microsocial context, culture, religious beliefs, gender norms, socialization, systematic homonegativity, openness to discussing sexuality, and relationship characteristics)and two were inductive themes that emerged from the data (being a sexual minority with autism and sexual orientation). Participants reported unique experiences with regards to minority identification and polyamory. For example, participants noted that social differences made it difficult for them to find other sexual minority individuals to interact with, and that language difficulties and lack of exposure to other sexual minority individuals made it harder for them to conceptualize their identities.

Conclusions: Overall, the experiences of sexual minority individuals with ASD were similar to those of TD sexual minority individuals in relation to the model of sexual orientation development. However, participants indicated that characteristics of ASD sometimes made expression and communication of their sexual minority identity difficult. Experiences with polyamory, the interaction of language with identifying and understanding their sexual minority orientation, and other interactions between autism and sexual orientation are aspects of the experience of individuals with ASD that have not yet been researched. Using qualitative designs which ask questions directly of adults with ASD is an effective way to capture aspects of their lived experiences that may not be articulated in quantitative, survey-based research studies. Additionally, using online data-collection methods appears to be especially effective.