The results showed that the majority of autistic adults (70% of autistic males and 76% of autistic females) engage in sexual activity—although they do so to a lesser degree than their non-autistic peers (89% of both non-autistic males and females report engaging in sexual activity). Autistic people are more likely to be transgender or gender nonconforming compared with non-autistic people, and findings from a recent autism registry study suggest that among autistic people able to self-report on a survey, up to 18% of men and 43% of women may be sexual minorities.
About 30,, or 5 percent, of the cisgender people in the study have autism, the researchers found, whereas , or 24 percent, of the gender-diverse people do. People with autism are more likely to identify as LGBTQ+. According to the University of Cambridge, they are more likely to experience a wider diversity of sexual orientations.
Numbers show males with autism are almost four times as likely to identify as bisexual. Females with autism are three times as likely to identify as gay. Research shows that a higher percentage of autistic people identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer than the general population. “Most of the data that we’re seeing is that the rate for autistic people who identify as LGBTQIA+ is two to three times higher,” says clinical psychologist Eileen T.
Crehan, Ph.D., an assistant. Shortly after high school, Smith came out to her family as a gay man. Eileen Crehan studies sexuality, gender identity, and sex education experiences in adults who have autism. Several studies also suggest that autistic men are more likely than autistic women to be heterosexual. According to research, students with autism are at higher risk of being bullied.
In particular, they were less satisfied with their physical and psychological health, their living conditions and safety, and their ability to manage autism-related concerns. She has been attending college since age 14 and currently attends the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. They also reported more stress.
Category: Advice Published: 11 May Published: 18 September Affirming this overlap tells non-autistic individuals that we are able to be ourselves and express original identities. Neurodivergent, neurodiversity and neurotypical: a guide to the terms Explaining the difference between neurodiversity, neurodivergent, neurotypical and neurodiverse. No two people with autism are the same, and this data proves that we have the ability to express our identities and still have a community that accepts us.
As you continue to explore your identity, I encourage you to embrace those around you and encourage them to deviate from societal expectations. When her daughter was growing up, she says, no one told her that people on the spectrum are more likely to be LGBTQ. Wallace, Ph. One study found the rate to be two to three times higher in people who have autism. That struggle is made more difficult by stereotypes and misperceptions about autism, sexuality, and gender, she says.
News and Knowledge. And if they are LGBTQ, those differences may cause challenges with the process of coming out to family and friends. Read the latest issue of the Oaracle. We can use this data to be more supportive of one another. Freed, Jaime. Samantha Harker is a year-old female advocate with autism. But larger studies need to be done before the true rate is known, she says. Categories: Advice , Guest blogs , Neurodiversity.
Last Name Required. No one is really sure why there is such an overlap between the neurodivergent and queer communities, but the predominant theory is that neurodivergent people tend to be less aware of or inclined to follow societal norms. Some experts estimate that 6 to Autistic women were more likely than men to be a sexual minority. In a similar way, autistic individuals are expected to fit a label developed by neurotypical individuals.
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