A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research suggests that adults with autism experience higher rates of certain types of sexual victimization compared to those without the diagnosis. The findings indicate that these vulnerabilities might be linked to specific sensory sensitivities rather than just the official diagnostic label itself. This provides evidence that tailored education programs focusing on consent and sensory regulation could help protect people with varying levels of autistic traits. Scientists Brianna M. Akers and Zoë D. Peterson conducted the study to gain a more accurate understanding of how often autistic adults experience different forms of sexual harm. Akers is a counseling psychology doctoral student at Indiana University Bloomington and the Kinsey Institute. Peterson is a professor of applied psychology and director of the Sexual Assault Research Initiative at the Kinsey Institute. “Across the globe, many people report nonconsensual sexual experiences (i.e., sexual victimization), and that is no different here in the U.S.,” Akers told PsyPost. “I have long been interested in ability status, particularly how this identity shapes the way …