Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Self-reported Behaviours and Attitudes

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Differences in sexual functioning of adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are understudied. In the current study, self-reported sexual behaviours, interests and attitudes of 50 adolescent boys, aged 15–18, with at least average intelligence and diagnosed with ASD, were compared with a matched general population control group of 90 boys. Results demonstrated substantial similarity between the groups in terms of sexual behaviours. The only significant difference was that boys with ASD reacted more tolerant towards homosexuality compared to the control group. Results reveal that sexuality is a normative part of adolescent development in high-functioning boys with ASD. Hence, attention should be given to this topic in education and mental health care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

  • Baron-Cohen, S. (1988). An assessment of violence in a young man with Asperger’s syndrome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 29, 351–360.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bastiaansen, J. A., Meffert, H., Hein, S., Huizinga, P., Ketelaars, C., Pijnenborg, M., et al. (2011). Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in adults: The use of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) module 4. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(9), 1256–1266.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, H. (2013). Becoming an “autistic couple”: Narratives of sexuality and couplehood within the Swedish autistic self-advocacy movement. Sexuality & Disability. Advance online publication. doi:10.1007/s11195-013-9336-2.

  • Bleil Walters, J., Hughes, T. L., Sutton, L. R., Marshall, S. N., Crothers, L. M., Lehman, C., et al. (2013). Maltreatment and depression in adolescent sexual offenders with an autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 22(1), 72–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bogaert, A. F. (1996). Volunteer bias in human sexuality research: Evidence for both sexuality and personality differences in males. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 25(2), 125–140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Braun-Courville, D. K., & Rojas, M. (2009). Exposure to sexually explicit web sites and adolescent sexual attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 45(2), 156–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, E. S., Nichols, S., & Voyer, S. D. (2013). Challenging stereotypes: Sexual functioning of single adults with high functioning autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43, 2617–2627.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byers, E. S., Nichols, S., Voyer, S. D., & Reilly, G. (2012). Sexual well-being of a community sample of high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum who have been in a romantic relationship. Autism, 17(4), 418–433.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan, L. G., & Saluja, B. (2011). Sexual offending and improvement in autistic characteristics after acquired brain injury: A case report. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 45, 902–903.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, S., Mohamed, W. N., & Collacott, R. A. (1993). Possible Asperger’s syndrome in a mentally handicapped transvestite offender. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 37, 189–194.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • de Graaf, H., Kruijer, H., Van Acker, J., & Meijer, S. (2012). Seks onder je 25e: Seksuele gezondheid van jongeren in Nederland anno 2012 [Sex under the age of 25: Sexual health among youth in the Netherlands in 2012]. Delft, The Netherlands: Eburon.

  • de Vries, A. L., Noens, I. L., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Van Berckelaer-Onnes, I. A., & Doreleijers, T. A. (2010). Autism spectrum disorders in gender dysphoric children and adolescents. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40(8), 930–936.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dewinter, J., Vermeiren, R., Vanwesenbeeck, I., & van Nieuwenhuizen, C. (2013). Autism and normative sexual development: A narrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22, 3467–3483.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diamond, L. M., & Savin-Williams, R. C. (2009). Adolescent sexuality. In R. M. Lerner & L. Steinberg (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent psychology, volume 1: Individual bases of adolescent development (3rd ed.), (pp. 479–523). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

  • Dunne, M. P., Martin, N. G., Bailey, J. M., Heath, A. C., Bucholz, K. K., Madden, P. A., et al. (1997). Participation bias in a sexuality survey: Psychological and behavioural characteristics of responders and non-responders. International Journal of Epidemiology, 26(4), 844–854.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Flory, K., Molina, B. S. G., Pelham, W. E., Gnagy, E., & Smith, B. (2006). Childhood ADHD predicts risky sexual behavior in young adulthood. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 35(4), 571–577.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fortenberry, J. D. (2013). Puberty and adolescent sexuality. Hormones and Behavior, 64(2), 280–287.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gabriels, R. L., & Van Bourgondien, M. E. (2007). Sexuality and autism: Individual, family, and community perspectives and interventions. In R. L. Gabriels & D. E. Hill (Eds.), Growing up with autism: Working with school-age children and adolescents (pp. 58–72). London, UK: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour, L., Schalomon, P. M., & Smith, V. (2012). Sexuality in a community based sample of adults with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 313–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gotham, K., Risi, S., Pickles, A., & Lord, C. (2007). The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule: Revised algorithms for improved diagnostic validity. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(4), 613–627.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin-Shelley, E. (2010). An Asperger’s adolescent sex addict, sex offender: A case study. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 17, 46–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haracopos, D., & Pedersen, L. (1992). Sexuality and autism: The Danish report. Unpublished manuscript. http://www.autismuk.com/?page_id=1293. Accessed October 22, 2012.

  • Hellemans, H., Colson, K., Verbraeken, C., Vermeiren, R., & Deboutte, D. (2007). Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(2), 260–269.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hénault, I., & Attwood, T. (2006). The sexual profile of adults with Asperger’s syndrome: The need for support and intervention. In I. Hénault (Ed.), Asperger’s syndrome and sexuality: From adolescence through adulthood (pp. 183–192). London, UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaccard, J., Dittus, P. J., & Gordon, V. V. (1998). Parent-adolescent congruency in reports of adolescent sexual behavior and in communications about sexual behavior. Child Development, 69(1), 247–261.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, Y., Tarek, F., Ratzoni, G., & Apter, A. (1998). Aggression and sexual offense in Asperger’s syndrome. The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 35, 293–299.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Koller, R. (2000). Sexuality and adolescents with autism. Sexuality and Disability, 18, 125–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, S., Mandell, D., & Schultz, R. (2009). Autism. The Lancet, 374(9701), 1627–1638.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, C., Rutter, M., Dilavore, P. C., & Risi, S. (1999). Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule: Manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mandell, D. S., Walrath, C. M., Manteuffel, B., Sgro, G., & Pinto-Martin, J. A. (2005). The prevalence and correlates of abuse among children with autism served in comprehensive community-based mental health settings. Child Abuse and Neglect, 29(12), 1359–1372.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazurek, M. O., Shattuck, P. T., Wagner, M., & Cooper, B. P. (2012). Prevalence and correlates of screen-based media use among youths with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42(8), 1757–1767.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mehtar, M., & Mukaddes, N. M. (2011). Posttraumatic stress disorder in individuals with diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 539–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milton, J., Duggan, C., Latham, A., Egan, V., & Tantam, D. (2002). Case history of co-morbid Asperger’s syndrome and paraphilic behaviour. Medicine, Science and Law, 42, 237–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollborn, S., & Everett, B. (2010). Correlates and consequences of parent-teen incongruence in reports of teens’ sexual experience. Journal of Sex Research, 47(4), 314–329.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, S., & Rosenthal, D. (2006). Sexuality in adolescence: Current trends. Hove, UK: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murrie, D. C., Warren, J. I., Kristiansson, M., & Dietz, P. E. (2002). Asperger’s syndrome in forensic settings. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 1, 59–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ousley, O. Y., & Mesibov, G. B. (1991). Sexual attitudes and knowledge of high-functioning adolescents and adults with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21(4), 471–481.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ray, F., Marks, C., & Bray-Garretson, H. (2004). Challenges to treating adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome who are sexually abusive. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 11, 265–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Le Couteur, A., & Lord, C. (2003). Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seto, M. C., Kjellgren, C., Priebe, G., Mossige, S., Svedin, C. G., & Långström, N. (2010). Sexual coercion experience and sexually coercive behavior: A population study of Swedish and Norwegian male youth. Child Maltreatment, 15, 219–228.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silva, J. A., Ferrari, M. M., & Leong, G. B. (2002). The case of Jeffrey Dahmer: Sexual serial homicide from a neuropsychiatric developmental perspective. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 47, 1347–1359.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, L. H., Guthrie, B. J., & Oakley, D. J. (2005). Studying adolescent male sexuality: Where are we? Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 34(4), 361–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, M., & Kaur, A. (2005). High-functioning autism and sexuality: A parental perspective. Autism, 9(3), 266–289.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, M., Newton, N., & Kaur, A. (2007). Stalking, and social and romantic functioning among adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 1969–1986.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strassberg, D. S., & Lowe, K. (1995). Volunteer bias in sexuality research. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 24(4), 369–382.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ‘t Hart-Kerkhoffs, L. A., Jansen, L. M., Doreleijers, T. A., Vermeiren, R., Minderaa, R. B., & Hartman, C. A. (2009). Autism spectrum disorder symptoms in juvenile suspects of sex offenses. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 70(2), 266–272.

  • Tolman, D. L., & McClelland, S. I. (2011). Normative sexuality development in adolescence: A decade in review, 2000–2009. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(1), 242–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolman, D. L., Striepe, M. I., & Harmon, T. (2010). Gender matters: Constructing a model of adolescent sexual health. Journal of Sex Research, 40, 37–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Torisky, D., & Torisky, C. (1985). Sex education and sexual awareness building for autistic children and youth: Some viewpoints and considerations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 15(2), 213–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tourangeau, R., & Yan, T. (2007). Sensitive questions in surveys. Psychological Bulletin, 133(5), 859–883.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to all boys and their parents who participated in this study. The authors also would like to thank Hanneke De Graaf, Rutgers WPF, for sharing the SO25II questionnaire and data. Also thanks to Karin Brouwers and colleagues at Koninklijke Kentalis, Eindhoven; Liesbeth Van Vught and colleagues at Pleinschool Helder, Eindhoven; Jan Wijnja and colleagues at VSO De Korenaer, Eindhoven; Karien de Jonge and colleagues at Herlaarhof, Vught; Sussiel Brands at Leo Kannerhuis Brabant, Tilburg; Sanne Herpers and MJ Verhappen at GGzOostbrabant and our colleagues at UKJA, Antwerpen and GGzE. No grants or support were received for this work. This research project was part of the requirements to fulfil the postacademic specialist training in Clinical Psychology at Rino Zuid, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tranzo, Scientific Centre for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Jeroen Dewinter & Chijs Van Nieuwenhuizen

  2. Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGzE, PO Box 909 (DP1104), 5600 AX, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Jeroen Dewinter & Chijs Van Nieuwenhuizen

  3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-LUMC, PO box 15, 2300 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Robert Vermeiren

  4. VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, PO Box 303, 1115 ZG, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands

    Robert Vermeiren

  5. Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Ine Vanwesenbeeck

  6. Rutgers WPF, PO Box 9022, 3506 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Ine Vanwesenbeeck

  7. Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Jill Lobbestael

  8. RINO Zuid Postdoctoral Training Institute, PO Box 826, 5624 AD, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Jill Lobbestael

Authors
  1. Jeroen Dewinter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert Vermeiren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ine Vanwesenbeeck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jill Lobbestael
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Chijs Van Nieuwenhuizen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeroen Dewinter.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dewinter, J., Vermeiren, R., Vanwesenbeeck, I. et al. Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Self-reported Behaviours and Attitudes. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 731–741 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2226-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2226-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation