What Causes People with Autism to Sexually Offend?

Originally Published on September 4th, 2023 at 08:00 am
Table of Contents
Overview
Summary
Implications for Mitigation
Reference

Overview

Unlike for neurotypical individuals who commit sex crimes, there is currently no validated theory linking Autism and sexual offenses.

Summary

Research conducted on the sexual offenses committed by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to date suggests four possible motivations:

  1. The difficulty that ASD individuals have with social cognition
  2. ASD individuals lack an understanding and awareness of sexual issues
  3. ASD individuals may engage in compulsive thinking and have sexual frustration.
  4. Exploitation and abuse

Autism and Sexual Offenses

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