I've been interested in this idea for a while. The literature suggests a high percentage of males with paraphilias/fetishes also have high-functioning autism (Asperger's). I myself probably fall on the spectrum, though not in a severe way. What about you?

Also, what do you guys think about this notion? Thoughts, opinions? Yay, nay?

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My mom was CONVINCED I have Asperger’s. Nope, I’m just weird (per my then therapist). My cousin WAS diagnosed as Asperger’s. My mom blamed her mom for it (he lived with her for a bit growing up)

I've never heard of this before. Considering how people with ASD tend to have narrow interest ranges and develop obsessions, I'm not surprised.

Totally possible. I have Asperger’s, so it could be.

For what it's worth, the term "Asperger's Syndrome" was retired in 2013 with the release of the DSM-5. It's just part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now. There was a desire to bring it all under one umbrella, but also, Hans Asperger (the Austrian pediatrician after whom the syndrome was named) was recently discovered to have Nazi connections during World War II, so people found that distasteful for obvious reasons.

(January 13, 2024, 4:02 pm)Akhenaten For what it's worth, the term "Asperger's Syndrome" was retired in 2013 with the release of the DSM-5. It's just part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) now. There was a desire to bring it all under one umbrella, but also, Hans Asperger (the Austrian pediatrician after whom the syndrome was named) was recently discovered to have Nazi connections during World War II, so people found that distasteful for obvious reasons.

I wouldn't say this diminishes the term at all. Quite a few people with Asperger's dislike being referred to as having autism, myself included. It's always been considered a variant of ASD, however it's sufficiently distinct qualitatively and quantitatively to arguably constitute its own thing. A person with Asperger's or high-functioning autism has very little in common with someone afflicted with full-fledged autism. In any case, and this isn't an uncommon viewpoint, I like the idea of keeping the term "Asperger's" alive and distinct for HF-ASD. Many Aspies do.

(January 13, 2024, 4:26 am)Feunski I've never heard of this before. Considering how people with ASD tend to have narrow interest ranges and develop obsessions, I'm not surprised.

It's an interesting connection for sure. And yes, exactly as you suggested, it's largely a function of the obsessiveness associated with Asperger's.

I think technically I do have Asperger's. I was recently diagnosed as on the spectrum at Level 1 which basically means high functioning if I'm correct

Hello all, I was diagnosed 20 years ago. My theories are that, because those of us that fall on the spectrum struggle with understanding and coping with social norms, we tend to be more open with our sexualities. We also tend to find something we like and don't tend to stray far from our comfort zones. There is some anecdotal data supporting the idea that those on the spectrum have a subconscious desire to return to the womb or something similar. Take everything I say with a giant grain of salt, I am speaking from my own anecdotal experiences, and I am not a scientist on the subjects of the human mind or human sexuality. I do wish there were more studies on sexuality and those who are nero-divergent, I feel sexuality is the least studied part of the human experience.

You know I haven’t heard of this connection but I find it quite interesting, especially considering that I’ve suspected that I am on the spectrum for a little while now. Could I ask how you guys went about being diagnosed? I started with some online tests and was gonna go through with getting diagnosed online but it ended up being quite expensive.

(January 14, 2024, 1:01 am)Batman_49 Could I ask how you guys went about being diagnosed?

I was in therapy throughout my childhood, and I was eventually given a formal diagnosis by a psychologist specializing in ASD. The evaluation was a series of questions along with a look at my medical history and childhood behaviors. This includes whether you had delays in developmental milestones.