Communicating Sexuality Education to Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The first adolescent developmental tasks associated with sex that must be mastered is the formation of new relationships with the opposite sex. This development of interest in the opposite sex follows a certain pattern; likewise, for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who experience growth in their sexuality. Sexuality is the integration of feelings, needs, and desires that shape a person’s unique personality, revealing a person’s tendency to be male or female. Sex, on the contrary, is defined as other activities/events from physical relationship. Parents who have children with ASD face different challenges, especially in providing sexuality education to their children. Sexuality education for adolescents with ASD is very important as these adolescents are more prone to experience sexual harassment. In addition, sexuality education provides adequate understanding regarding changes in physical, mental, and the emotional maturity associated with sexual problems in adolescents with ASD and to provide knowledge about sexual perversion that individuals can protect themselves from and how to protect against exploitation which can disrupt the physical and mental health.