Prevalence and Frequency of Online Sexual Activity in Adults with ASD

Background: Researchers have only recently begun to assess a broad range of aspects of the sexual well-being of cognitively able adults with ASD (CA-ASD) using methods that overcame many early limitations (e.g., Byers, Nichols, & Voyer, 2013; Byers, Nichols, Voyer, & Reilly, 2013; Gilmour, Schalomon, & Smith, 2012). The results of these studies paint an overall positive picture for both individuals in and not in a relationship. One area of the sexual functioning of individuals with CA-ASD that has received little attention is use of the Internet to engage in sexuality-related activities. Yet, such activities are very common among neurotypical populations (Carroll et al., 2008; Daneback, Månsson, Ross, & Markham, 2012; Döring, 2012; Shaughnessy, Byers, & Walsh, 2011). Given the social impairments associated with ASD, it is possible that individuals with CA-ASD are more comfortable expressing their sexuality through on-line sexual activities because these activities do not require in-person, real-time interactions.

Objectives:

To determine the extent to which men and women in different age groups with CA-ASD engage in a range of online sexual activities (OSA) including non-arousal OSA (seeking sexual information, chatting), solitary-arousal OSA (S-OSA), and partnered-arousal OSA (P-OSA).

Methods:

Participants were a community sample of 141 men and 190 women ( ages 21 – 73 years) with CA-ASD who met cut-off criteria on the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), a brief screening questionnaire designed to measure degree of ASD symptomatology in adults (Baron-Cohen et al., 2001). Participants completed an online questionnaire that included measures of ASD symptomatology, and online sexual activity.

Results:

Almost two-thirds of participants had engaged in one or more OSA. The most commonly reported online activities were watching sexually explicit videos (48%), masturbating while doing so (32%), and reading erotic material (32%). 21% of the sample had visited an education or dating website in the previous month; 54% had engaged in at least one S-OSA activity; and, 12% had engaged in at least one P-OSA activity. Significantly more of the men than women had engaged in Information Seeking and S-OSA but the men and women did not differ in their likelihood of having engaged in Chatting or P-OSA Experience. Individuals in their twenties were significantly more likely to have engaged in information seeking (34%) than were those in their 30’s 40’s, or over 50 (14%, 18%, and 18%, respectively), Χ² = 11.88, p = .008. The age groups did not differ in their likelihood of having engaged in the other OSAs.

Conclusions:

Most adults with CA-ASD engage in online sexual activity, and for the most part the likelihood of engaging in OSA was the same regardless of age. Men were more likely than women to engage in solitary-arousal activities but not in other forms of OSA. Few participants reported a problematic use pattern suggesting that OSA is generally a positive sexual outlet for adults with CA-ASD. Sexuality education programs are needed that incorporate OSA as a good alternative for some but also teach internet safety and strategies to reduce vulnerability to engaging in illegal OSA.