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Autism Spectrum Disorder, bestiality and zoophilia : a systematic PRISMA review

Allely, CS

Autism Spectrum Disorder, bestiality and zoophilia : a systematic PRISMA review Thumbnail


Authors



Abstract

Purpose
There remains a lack of knowledge surrounding paraphilic or deviant arousal sexual behaviours in individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Kellaher, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature for any empirical study, case study or discussion/review paper surrounding individuals with ASD and zoophilia or bestiality.

Design/methodology/approach
A systematic PRISMA review was conducted.

Findings
This systematic review highlighted only a small number of papers, which have looked at zoophilia or bestiality in individuals with ASD. Only one article was identified as being relevant in the present review, three further articles included a description of a case involving someone with ASD who engaged in zoophilia or bestiality and another paper, although not the focus of the study, found one person with Asperger’s disorder who had several paraphilias including olfactophilia, podophilia and zoophilia in a sample of 20 institutionalised, male adolescents and young adults with Autistic disorder and borderline/mild mental retardation. All the case studies clearly highlight some of the ASD symptomology that can contribute to engaging in bestiality or zoophilia.

Practical implications
It is important that individuals with ASD have access to appropriate and timely sex education and that parents are supported by healthcare professionals to engage with their children with ASD in such interactions across the autism spectrum irrespective of the parent’s expectations.

Originality/value
To the author’s knowledge, this is the first review of ASD in relation to bestiality and zoophilia.

Citation

Allely, C. (2020). Autism Spectrum Disorder, bestiality and zoophilia : a systematic PRISMA review. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 11(2), 75-91. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-06-2019-0012

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 9, 2019
Online Publication Date Jan 30, 2020
Publication Date Jan 30, 2020
Deposit Date Dec 11, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 2, 2020
Journal Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour
Print ISSN 2050-8824
Publisher Emerald
Volume 11
Issue 2
Pages 75-91
DOI https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-06-2019-0012
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-06-2019-0012
Related Public URLs https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/2050-8824