Autism and Sex: Finally, a Way to Understand the Disconnect. But if you’re autistic—or in a relationship with someone who is—Bedroom rules can feel more like a test you didn’t study for. “Tease each other?” What does that actually mean? “Keep a steady pace?” Based on whose rhythm?“Don’t be afraid to experiment?” What if new things feel overwhelming?   For many autistic adults, these kinds of open-ended instructions feel confusing, stressful, or even shame-inducing.

The divorce is in the rear mirror. You found love again. You brought two households together. You imagined a bigger table…more laughter…shared adventures. Then reality pulled up a chair. Suddenly, everything feels like a tug of war. 

At first glance, it sounds alarming. A 450% increase in autism diagnoses among adults aged 26 to 34. Back in 2011, only about 91,000 adults in that age group had received a diagnosis. In 2022, that number was closer to 500,000.* So what’s going on?Are more people becoming autistic? Or are more people finally being seen?