Autism is a developmental disorder that occurs in early childhood and affects communication, social interaction, and behavior.

While autism is primarily thought of in these terms, it can also impact other areas of an individual’s life, such as their sexual orientation and gender identity.

What is Sexual Orientation?

Sexual orientation refers to an individual’s emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others. The most commonly recognized sexual orientations are heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual.

However, there are other orientations that fall outside of these three, such as asexual, pansexual, and demisexual, to name a few.

What is Autism?

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD, is a neurological condition that impacts an individual’s communication, social interaction, and behavior.

There is a wide range of symptoms that can be present in individuals with autism, which is why it is known as a “spectrum” disorder. Some common symptoms include a difficulty in socializing, a narrow focus on specific interests, and repetitive behaviors.

Autism and Sexual Orientation

Research on the relationship between autism and sexual orientation is limited. However, studies suggest that individuals with autism may be more likely to identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) than those without autism.

Studies on the Relationship

A study conducted by the Cambridge Childhood TDS Group found that individuals with autism were more likely to identify as asexual, an orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction to others.

Additionally, the study found that individuals with autism were more likely to identify as non-heterosexual than their non-autistic peers.

Another study conducted by the Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute found that transgender individuals were more likely to also have autism.

While this study did not examine sexual orientation directly, it suggests that there may be a connection between gender identity and autism.

Theories on the Relationship

There are several theories as to why there may be a higher prevalence of LGBTQ individuals within the autism community, including:.

Neurodiversity: Neurodiversity describes the idea that differences in neurological function should be respected and seen as a natural variation in human experience. This theory suggests that being neurologically different can lead individuals to also identify as sexually different.
Difficulty with Social Norms: Individuals with autism often struggle with social norms, including gender and sexuality norms. This may lead some individuals to question their identity and/or feel more comfortable identifying as LGBTQ.
Increased Openness: Those with autism are often more introspective and less affected by social pressure. This increased self-awareness may lead individuals with autism to be more open and accepting of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Implications for the Autism and LGBTQ Communities

While the connection between autism and LGBTQ identities is not well understood, it is important that both communities are supported and respected.

Individuals with autism who identify as LGBTQ may experience stigma and discrimination from both the autism and LGBTQ communities.

It is also important to note that not all individuals with autism will identify as LGBTQ and vice versa. Every individual is unique and should be treated as such.

Conclusion

The connection between autism and sexual orientation is not well understood and requires more research. However, studies suggest that individuals with autism may be more likely to identify as LGBTQ than those without autism.

Regardless of an individual’s neurodiversity or sexual orientation, it is important that all individuals are supported and respected.