Autism
Cults, Sex, and Neurodivergent Individuals
Autism can increase susceptibility to cult recruitment and abuse.
Updated February 25, 2025 Reviewed by Hara Estroff Marano
Key points
- Those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are especially prone to cult influence.
- The rigid thinking and hyperfocus of those with ASD are both a strength and a vulnerability.
- Sexual abuse is a particular risk for those with ASD in cults.
- Sexual education and information surrounding appropriate behavior is necessary for those with ASD.
Although they exert robust psychological control, cults do their utmost to appear warm and welcoming, especially to individuals who feel isolated and long for acceptance. Individuals on the autism spectrum, who often crave rigidity and structure, can be especially at risk of being drawn into high-control organizations that appear to offer both friendship and a strict organizational hierarchy.
Canadian psychologist Isabelle Hénault, author of Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality, highlights the challenges facing neurodivergent individuals, who can be especially vulnerable in complex social settings. The consequence can be a greater openness to persuasive recruitment tactics and a susceptibility to sexual abuse within such manipulative environments.
The Allure of High-Control Groups for Neurodivergent Individuals
Cults systematically dismantle personal autonomy. For individuals on the autism spectrum, this can happen at a dishearteningly accelerated pace. Many on the spectrum seek routine, honesty, and direct communication—needs that cult leaders can exploit by offering seemingly straightforward “rules” and rituals.
A “love bombing” phase in which recruits are showered with intense praise and attention can resonate with those who have felt socially excluded for much of their life. The predictable structure of cult life might also calm the anxieties of those who find it confusing to navigate social hierarchies.
However, initial displays of warmth are part of a larger strategy to elicit compliance. Once trust is established, harmful tactics like information control and emotional manipulation can escalate. Individuals who struggle to interpret hidden motives or subtle cues are less likely to detect red flags before they are enmeshed in the group’s belief system.
Moreover, narrowly focused interests—common among those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—can make certain cult narratives compelling. A group that speaks passionately about a single topic or combination of issues may align with the autistic individual’s specialized focus. Cults often harness the individual’s ability to focus and passion for working hard at a single goal.
Cult leaders can then easily redirect such single-minded enthusiasm toward group loyalty and obedience, potentially leading members to surrender their boundaries.
Recognizing the Risks of Sexual Exploitation in Cults
Beyond recruitment, cults may use sexual coercion to bind members to leadership. Those on the autism spectrum are already at higher risk of sexual victimization in broader society, partly due to difficulties in decoding hidden agendas.
In a destructive high-control group, the struggles can be amplified. Leaders may establish strict expectations of “special favors” or claim spiritual justifications for sexual activity, leaving those with ASD unsure of how to refuse or whether something inappropriate is happening.
Misinterpretation of social context is another challenge identified by Hénaul. High-control groups can create confusion about what is consensual and what is coercive. In rare cases, ASD individuals may even go on to sexually victimize others due to a lack of understanding of consent and appropriate sexual behavior.
A sense of blind obedience can replace genuine personal autonomy. When it comes to sexual behavior, cult leaders may exploit members’ vulnerabilities by controlling access to information about healthy relationships, intimacy, and consent.
They may insist that outsiders “don’t understand” the group’s unique sexual norms. Such a dynamic is highly destructive for someone already grappling with social isolation or who takes statements at face value.
Individuals with ASD might also be less aware of emotional manipulation strategies, including guilt-tripping (“If you loved the group, you would do it”) or gaslighting (“This is completely normal”). Cults isolate members from external support systems, meaning there may be no one to confirm that any sexual demands are abusive.
The isolation further heightens vulnerability and leaves survivors feeling abandoned or confused, especially if they have difficulty processing emotional trauma or experience alexithymia.
Protecting Loved Ones on the Spectrum
The risks are real, and awareness of the vulnerabilities is a form of prevention. Families, friends, and professionals can play a crucial role by teaching individuals on the spectrum about manipulative behaviors and how to identify potential signs of destructive cult influence.
Explicit, concrete instruction—something that aligns well with autistic learning styles—can include explaining specific scenarios of love bombing, emphasizing the need to question excessive flattery, and defining healthy boundaries.
The following diagram of the BITE Model of cult influence that I developed may be especially helpful.
In breaking down cult strategies into components with examples: behavior control (rigid schedules and rituals), information control (limiting contact with non-members), thought control (behaviors like chanting or thought-stopping), and emotional control (using guilt or fear), the model can help individuals with ASD spot warning signs.
Unfortunately, family members can also often unknowingly contribute to their loved one’s vulnerabilities. Proper sexual education is vital. They may inadvertently hinder healthy development by overprotecting those on the spectrum or overlooking sexuality entirely, contending an individual is not ready or not interested when in fact, they have reached an appropriate development stage for education.
When sexual exploitation does occur, professional support is crucial. Friends and family should create a nonjudgmental environment in which survivors feel safe to talk about any uncomfortable or exploitative incidents. Clear education about consent and sexuality, tailored to the person’s communication style, can provide vital skills for recognizing abuse in the future.
Equipping neurodivergent individuals with knowledge about cult tactics and offering consistent support can reduce the likelihood of cult recruitment and sexual exploitation. Doing so empowers those on the spectrum to find authentic connection and belonging without falling prey to cults that promise acceptance but force control on them.
