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Challenging Stereotypes: Sexual Functioning of Single Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

This study examined the sexual functioning of single adults (61 men, 68 women) with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome living in the community with and without prior relationship experience. Participants completed an on-line questionnaire assessing autism symptoms, psychological functioning, and various aspects of sexual functioning. In general participants reported positive sexual functioning. Participants without prior relationship experience were significantly younger and more likely to be male and identify as heterosexual. They reported significantly higher sexual anxiety, lower sexual arousability, lower dyadic desire, and fewer positive sexual cognitions. The men reported better sexual function than did the women in a number of areas. These results counter negative societal perceptions about the sexuality of high functioning individuals on the autism spectrum.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Georgianna Reilly for her assistance with the project. We would also like to thank the moderators of ASDs list serves and discussion groups, the Asperger’s Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association of Long Island and the clinical team at the Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities for posting advertisements for the study and assisting with recruitment. Portions of this manuscript were presented at the 2008 and 2010 International Meeting for Autism Research.

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  1. Shana Nichols

    Present address: ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development, Melville, NY, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada

    E. Sandra Byers & Susan D. Voyer

  2. Fay J. Lindner Center for Autism, Bethpage, NY, USA

    Shana Nichols

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  1. E. Sandra Byers
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  2. Shana Nichols
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Correspondence to E. Sandra Byers.

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Byers, E.S., Nichols, S. & Voyer, S.D. Challenging Stereotypes: Sexual Functioning of Single Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 43, 2617–2627 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1813-z

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