# Sexual Affectivity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Bibliometric Profile of Scientific Production

## TL;DR

This study maps scientific research on sexuality and emotions in autism from 2000 to 2023, highlighting trends and key themes.

## Contribution

A novel bibliometric analysis of global research on autism, sexuality, and affectivity, revealing thematic clusters and geographic trends.

## Key findings

- 314 original articles were analyzed, with a production peak in 2020.
- Three thematic clusters emerged: children's vulnerability, adolescent sex education, and adult transition needs.
- Research is concentrated in the USA, Australia, and Europe, with a focus on specialized journals.

## Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe the scientific production on sexuality and affectivity of autistic people. The inclusion criteria were articles published in all languages from the year 2000 to 2023, excluding reviews, proceedings, and other works not considered original. The search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection and RStudio was utilized to analyze the records, with the “Bibliometrix 4.1.0” package and the VOSviewer software. A total of 314 articles were included, from the USA, Australia, and parts of Europe. The production peak was found in the year 2020, the most cited articles referred to the children’s population, and the most important journals were specialized on the subject. As for the thematic content, 29 keywords emerged that were grouped into three clusters. In the first group, children associated with vulnerability and victimization were underlined, in which multifocal interventions were needed to prevent risk; in the second, we found adolescents and the need for sex education that is adapted and comprehensive; and lastly, adults who must be able to perform an adequate transition that eases the adaptation of neurodivergent individuals.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10508-024-02996-1.