Autism and normative sexual development: a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Human Sexuality
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Sexual health is a universal developmental task across all life stages.
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) core features intersect with essential sexual development and functioning skills.
• Understanding sexual development in individuals with ASD is crucial for effective education, support, and healthcare interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically explore the existing body of knowledge regarding sexuality in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• To utilize the framework of normative sexual development to organize and analyze current research findings.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across major scientific online databases.
• Relevant publications, including qualitative, quantitative research, and case studies, were identified and selected based on predefined criteria.
• Selected articles and reports were systematically reviewed and synthesized.

Main Results:

• Fifty-five articles and reports were included in the analysis, categorized into three primary domains: sexual behavior, sexual selfhood, and sexual socialization.
• Information was most abundant regarding behavioral aspects and the experiences of social agents (e.g., parents, professionals).
• The developmental processes and the intricate relationships between sexual behavior, selfhood, and socialization in ASD remained largely unclear.

Conclusions:

• Sexual development is an integral aspect of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at all developmental levels and is significantly under-researched.
• While knowledge exists on behavioral aspects and socialization agents, developmental processes and the interplay of sexual behavior, selfhood, and socialization require further investigation.
• Nurses and healthcare professionals play a vital role in supporting individuals with ASD and their families by actively addressing and providing information on sexual development, affirming its normative nature.