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Sexual Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorders: an Update and Discussion

  • Sexual Disorders (G Dwyer, Section Editor)
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Abstract

In the last few years, we have gained a deeper understanding about sexuality among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Greater interest in this subject and improvements in the empirical study of ASD populations are driving this enlightenment. The data is dispelling antiquated notions that ASD individuals are asexual, sexually unknowledgeable and inexperienced, and/or disinterested in relationships. We still have a ways to go in examining paraphilic or deviant arousal sexual behaviors among ASD individuals. This manuscript provides an update on sexuality research in ASD in the last few years. This is accompanied by a discussion of the paraphilic type sexual behaviors observed among some ASD individuals.

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Denise C. Kellaher declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-Davis, 2230 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Denise C. Kellaher

  2. Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit, VA Medical Center-Sacramento, 10535 Hospital Way, 116A, Mather, CA, 95665, USA

    Denise C. Kellaher

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  1. Denise C. Kellaher
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Correspondence to Denise C. Kellaher.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sexual Disorders

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Kellaher, D.C. Sexual Behavior and Autism Spectrum Disorders: an Update and Discussion. Curr Psychiatry Rep 17, 25 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0562-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0562-4

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