Sexuality and Autism: My Journey to Joy, Freedom, and Connection

In my journey as an autistic adult sexuality brought me joy, freedom, and connection, despite stereotypes and stigma.

As an autistic adult, I’ve often felt that society overlooks or misunderstands how we experience sexuality. Too often, people focus on limitations instead of possibilities. For me, sexuality has been a journey of self-discovery — one that has brought me joy, freedom, and connection. I want to share my story to help others understand how sexuality can be empowering for autistic people.

Breaking Stereotypes About Autism and Sexuality

There’s a persistent myth that autistic people can’t form deep relationships or don’t experience sexuality in the same way others do. I can tell you from personal experience: that’s not true. This stereotype is not only harmful but also denies us the right to explore and express our sexuality in our own way.

For me, sexuality is about more than just the physical. It’s a way of understanding myself, connecting with others, and feeling confident in who I am. Yes, it looks different for me compared to others. I’m highly sensitive to touch, so I’ve developed other forms of intimacy, like emotional and verbal…