How are Autism and Queer Identity Related?

The relationships between autism and orientations are also complex and differ from the neurotypical average more often than not, with one study finding only 30% of autistic people identified as heterosexual. Though there is little formal research in the area, self-reported surveys show a much higher incidence of asexual and aromantic orientations in autistic populations versus neurotypical standards.

In some cases, an individual’s sexual orientation doesn’t align with other types of orientations (like romantic, platonic, sensual, and aesthetic), with higher rates of these variations present in sample autistic populations. Additionally, certain orientations seem to be exclusive to autism, such as nebularomantic, wherein the individual cannot distinguish between platonic and romantic affection.