Psychology & Sexuality

Neurodivergence and Sex/Sexuality

Background and Aims

Early research exploring the romantic and sexual lives of neurodivergent people often assumed that neurodivergent people, particularly autistic people, were incapable of romantic/sexual relationships due to differences in social communications and understandings of sexual scripts. This research focused on problematic sexual behaviors exhibited by minorities within these populations, further stigmatizing and promoting misconceptions about neurodivergent people.

Rejecting a deficit model of neurodivergence and sexuality, sex positive research conceptualizing neurodivergence using social models of disability finds many neurodivergent people desire sexual/romantic relationships. The relationships of neurodivergent people may differ from those of neurotypical people, emphasizing different communication styles, sexual preferences, and love languages. Research is also demonstrating a strong connection between neurodivergence and queerness, with many neurodivergent people identifying as sexual minorities or engaging with sexual subcultures.

The purpose of this special issue is to provide a forum for both theoretical and empirical work on the relationships, connections and shared identities between neurodiversity and sexuality. We seek contributions that document the nature of these relationships primarily through a psychological lens. We welcome contributions that emphasize cultural variability and particularity, indigenous and non-Western sexualities, and intersectional and decolonial approaches. We encourage proposals from research teams throughout the globe whose work fits broadly within our call. Some examples of topics may include:

• Exploration of different forms of neurodivergence, including autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD, and overlaps with sexuality
• Sexual scripts/norms for neurodivergent populations
• Romantic relationship development for neurodivergent populations
• Experiences of identity navigation among neurodivergent sexual minorities
• Sexual subcultural engagement for neurodivergent populations
• Sexual and reproductive health matters for neurodivergent populations
• Neurodivergence and engagement with pornography
• Methodological approaches to studying neurodivergent populations on the topic of sexuality
• Indigenous and decolonial approaches to studying neurodivergence on the topic of sexuality
• The politics of sexual diversity for neurodivergent populations
• Analyses of the sociocultural factors (e.g., religious beliefs, political ideologies, media representations) that shape attitudes, norms, and tensions around neurodivergent populations
• Comparative cross-cultural research that explores similarities and differences in the ways neurodivergent populations are perceived, understood, and expressed