Love On The Different Spectrum: A Phenomenological Study On A Young Adult
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22515/ajpc.v6i1.9941Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), inclusion, partner preference, romantic relationships, social communication difficultiesAbstract
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have often been wrongly viewed as asexual. However, research suggests that their romantic and sexual experiences are more nuanced and deserving of further exploration. The study aimed to foster a more supportive and understanding environment for individuals with ASD as they navigate the complexities of relationships. This study delved into the romantic and sexual lives of a young man with ASD aged 22 years old to understand how his condition influenced his partner preferences and relationships with friends, classmates, and family. Through a semi-structured interview and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the study uncovered three key themes: (a) navigating social interactions and boundaries; (b) understanding love and relationships; and (c) desires and expectations in relationships. These insights highlighted the need for tailored sex education, family support, and positive media portrayals. According to the study, a young man with ASD has difficulty interacting socially, particularly when it comes to recognizing cues and establishing limits with others. His romantic aspirations may be impacted by his inability to comprehend emotions and societal prejudices. The results show that to normalize his experiences and promote healthy relationships, family support, specialized sex education, and favorable media portrayals are essential.
Downloads
References
AlMaadeed, O. (2023). The Multifaceted Nature Of Love. Retrieved from oa.qa website: https://oa.qa/2023/05/16/the-multifaceted-nature-of-love/
Beato, A., Sarmento, M. R., & Correia, M. (2024). Experiencing Intimate Relationships And Sexuality: A Qualitative Study With Autistic Adolescents And Adults. Sexuality And Disability, 42, 439–457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-024-09838-x
Bennett, M., Webster, A. A., Goodall, E., & Rowland, S. (2018). Intimacy And Romance Across The Autism Spectrum: Unpacking The “Not Interested In Sex” Myth. Life On The Autism Spectrum, 195–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3359-0_10
Biel, J., Harper, D. F. G., & Blue, E. (2023). The Autism Partner Handbook: How To Love An Autistic Person. Portland, Oregon: Microcosm Publishing.
Brown, E. (2019). What Drives Norm Change Around Sexual Orientation And Gender Identity? Retrieved from Align Platform website: https://www.alignplatform.org/4-what-drives-norm-change-around-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity
Brumbaugh, C. C., & Doherty, J. K. (2024). Ideal Partner Characteristics In The 21st Century: What Are We Looking For? In M. Hojjat & A. Moyer (Eds.), Modern Relationships: Romance, Friendship, And Family In The 21st Century (pp 3-20). Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197655504.003.0001
Cahapay, M. B. (2022). Efficacy For Inclusion And Intervention Practices Of Teachers Of Children With Autism In The Philippines. International Journal Of Didactical Studies, 3(1), 11438. https://doi.org/10.33902/ijods.202211438
Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., … Walker, K. (2020). Purposive Sampling: Complex Or Simple? Research Case Examples. Journal Of Research In Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206
Chapman, G. (2009). The Five Love Languages: How To Express Heartfelt Commitment To Your Mate. Chicago, Illinois, United States: Moody Publishers.
Cheak-Zamora, N. C., Teti, M., Maurer-Batjer, A., O’Connor, K. V., & Randolph, J. K. (2019). Sexual And Relationship Interest, Knowledge, And Experiences Among Adolescents And Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 48(8), 2605–2615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-1445-2
Chepngetich, V., Ng’eno, C. L., & Sanga, P. K. (2022). Experience Of Parents With Children With Autism In Mandaue City, Philippines. Retrieved from ir-library.kabianga.ac.ke. website: http://ir-library.kabianga.ac.ke/handle/123456789/772
Estrin, G. L., Milner, V., Spain, D., Happé, F., & Colvert, E. (2020). Barriers To Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis For Young Women And Girls: A Systematic Review. Review Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders, 8(8), 454–470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-020-00225-8
Forster, R. T. (2021). Parasocial Romantic Relationships: Falling In Love With Media Figures. Lanham, Maryland, United States: Rowman & Littlefield.
Hancock, G., Stokes, M. A., & Mesibov, G. (2019). Differences In Romantic Relationship Experiences For Individuals With An Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sexuality And Disability, 38, 231–245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09573-8
Hang, D. (2024). Embracing Love: A Journey Of Self-Discovery And Connection. Retrieved from www.linkedin.com website: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/embracing-love-journey-self-discovery-connection-davidson-hang-poyre
Heale, R., & Twycross, A. (2018). What Is A Case Study? Evidence Based Nursing, 21(1), 7–8. https://doi.org/10.1136/eb-2017-102845
Heinämaa, S. (2022). Personal Love: Feeling From The Depths. Contributions To Phenomenology, 117, 165–183. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91928-3_9
Hodges, H., Fealko, C., & Soares, N. (2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder: Definition, Epidemiology, Causes, And Clinical Evaluation. Translational Pediatrics, 9(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.21037/tp.2019.09.09
Kock, E., Strydom, A., O’Brady, D., & Tantam, D. (2019). Autistic Women’s Experience Of Intimate Relationships: The Impact Of An Adult Diagnosis. Advances In Autism, 5(1), 38–49. https://doi.org/10.1108/aia-09-2018-0035
Lai, M. C., Lombardo, M. V., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2014). Autism. The Lancet, 383(9920), 896-910. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61539-1
Lord, C., Brugha, T. S., Charman, T., Cusack, J., Dumas, G., Frazier, T., … Veenstra-VanderWeele, J. (2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 6(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-019-0138-4
Lord, C., Charman, T., Havdahl, A., Carbone, P., Anagnostou, E., Boyd, B., … Simonoff, E. (2022). The Lancet Commission On The Future Of Care And Clinical Research In Autism. The Lancet, 399(10321), 271–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01541-5
Lord, C., Elsabbagh, M., Baird, G., & Veenstra-Vanderweele, J. (2018). Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Lancet, 392(10146), 508–520. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)31129-2
MacKenzie, A. (2018). Prejudicial Stereotypes And Testimonial Injustice: Autism, Sexuality And Sex Education. International Journal Of Educational Research, 89, 110–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2017.10.007
Maggio, M. G., Calatozzo, P., Cerasa, A., Pioggia, G., Quartarone, A., & Calabrò, R. S. (2022). Sex And Sexuality In Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review On A Neglected But Fundamental Issue. Brain Sciences, 12(11), 1427. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12111427
Monk, R., Whitehouse, A. J. O., & Waddington, H. (2022). The Use Of Language In Autism Research. Trends In Neurosciences, 45(11), 791–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2022.08.009
O’Clery, C. (2022). Love On The Spectrum. Retrieved from Netflix website: https://www.netflix.com/title/81338328#:~:text=In%20this%20romantic%20docuseries%2C%20people
Pagni, B. A., Walsh, M. J. M., Rogers, C., & Braden, B. B. (2020). Social Cognition In Autism Spectrum Disorder Across The Adult Lifespan: Influence Of Age And Sex On Reading The Mind In The Eyes Task In A Cross-Sectional Sample. Frontiers In Integrative Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2020.571408
Pecora, L. A., Mesibov, G. B., & Stokes, M. A. (2016). Sexuality In High-Functioning Autism: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders, 46, 3519-3556. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2892-4
Roberson, K. (2018). Sensitivity, Not Empathy, Is The Autism Spectrum Disorder Problem. Retrieved from Kenneth Roberson, Ph.D. website: https://kennethrobersonphd.com/sensitivity-not-empathy-is-the-aspergers-syndrome-problem/
Ronis, S. T., Byers, E. S., Brotto, L. A., & Nichols, S. (2021). Beyond The Label: Asexual Identity Among Individuals On The High-Functioning Autism Spectrum. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 50(8), 3831-3842. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-01969-y
Sala, G., Hooley, M., Attwood, T., Mesibov, G. B., & Stokes, M. A. (2019). Autism And Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review Of Sexuality And Relationship Education. Sexuality And Disability, 37(3), 353–382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-019-09577-4
Sala, G., Hooley, M., & Stokes, M. A. (2020). Romantic Intimacy In Autism: A Qualitative Analysis. Journal Of Autism And Developmental Disorders, 50, 4133–4147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04377-8
Sauer, A. K., Stanton, J. E., Hans, S., & Grabrucker, A. M. (2021). Autism Spectrum Disorders: Etiology And Pathology. Autism Spectrum Disorders, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.36255/exonpublications.autismspectrumdisorders.2021.etiology
Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Myers, R. E., Karazsia, B. T., McPherson, C. L., Jackman, M. M., … Thompson, T. (2018). Effects Of SOBER Breathing Space On Aggression In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Collateral Effects On Parental Use Of Physical Restraints. Advances In Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 2(4), 362–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-018-0073-5
Smith, J. A., & Fieldsend, M. (2021). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. In P. M. Camic (Ed.), Qualitative Research In Psychology: Expanding Perspectives In Methodology And Design (2nd ed., pp. 147–166). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000252-008
University of Cambridge. (2021). Autistic Adults More Likely To Identify As Asexual. University of Cambridge. https://www.cam.ac.uk/autism-asexuality-study
Vicente, A., & Falkum, I. L. (2021). Accounting For The Preference For Literal Meanings In Autism Spectrum Conditions. Mind & Language, 38(1), 119–140. https://doi.org/10.1111/mila.12371
Vogindroukas, I., Stankova, M., Chelas, E.-N., & Proedrou, A. (2022). Language And Speech Characteristics In Autism. Neuropsychiatric Disease And Treatment, 18, 2367–2377. https://doi.org/10.2147/ndt.s331987
Xia, M., Fosco, G. M., Lippold, M. A., & Feinberg, M. E. (2018). A Developmental Perspective On Young Adult Romantic Relationships: Examining Family And Individual Factors In Adolescence. Journal Of Youth And Adolescence, 47(7), 1499–1516. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0815-8
Yew, R. Y., Hooley, M., & Stokes, M. A. (2023). Factors Of Relationship Satisfaction For Autistic And Non-Autistic Partners In Long-Term Relationships. Autism, 27(8), 136236132311602. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613231160244
Yew, R. Y., Samuel, P., Hooley, M., Mesibov, G. B., & Stokes, M. A. (2021). A Systematic Review Of Romantic Relationship Initiation And Maintenance Factors In Autism. Personal Relationships, 28(4), 777–802. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12397
Zawisz, B. (2023). Autism And Theory Of Mind | Psychology Today. Retrieved from www.psychologytoday.com website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/nurturing-self-esteem-in-autistic-children/202303/autism-and-the-theory-of-mind-tom?fbclid=IwAR178zYILMcLDwo38_JwzPZDKUQXcDYr4JeIgNK5l2aX0EZDhs6ZlNL7e_Q
Zeliadt, N. (2016). People With Autism Prefer Partners On The Spectrum. Retrieved from The Transmitter: Neuroscience News and Perspectives website: https://www.spectrumnews.org/news/people-with-autism-prefer-partners-on-the-spectrum/?fbclid=IwAR3g1aV17kbc7ETpMMy0UnWCzAeHsN5e462hvcad5D6TiDMJAE8XWP6m9WE
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Alexis Graza Ramirez, Hanna May Custodio Dela Cruz, Andrea Reyes Mangalus, Ma. Kaila Theresa R. Mirador, Honey Gem V. Reyes, Wilhem B. Tamondong
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
