The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Previous research from the 1970’s in the area of sexuality and individuals with ASD was conducted through interview with parents and other caregivers. The result of this research, along with media representation, has perpetuated the myth that individuals with ASD are not interested in sex or are asexual. More recent research acknowledges that individuals with ASD are no less interested in sex, however are often unaware of appropriate sexual interactions. Due to their learning styles and social deficits they may be at risk for sexual abuse or incarceration due to inappropriate sexual activity in public or toward others.

This presentation reviews the research and provides correlations to the presenter’s caseload highlighting the areas of need when providing sex education to individuals with ASD. Cases will be reviewed to address:

Fear of addressing sexuality will cause an increase in awareness;

Lack of addressing may cause physical harm to self through inappropriate masturbation methods

Using redirection and teaching alternatives in public settings to behaviors that are permitted in private, such as masturbation. Also addressing what is not appropriate to teach, such as using a public bathroom.

Sexual behaviors that may lead to incarceration

Behavior Intervention Plans that may increase sexually deviant behaviors

Use of Functional Behavioral Assessment is discussed to ensure that inappropriate sexual behaviors exhibited by clients are not maintained by functions other than self-stimulatory and interventions chosen are based on the results.

Strategies for staff and caregivers will be discussed to help teach safety skills to decrease exposure to possible abuse, increase understanding of appropriate social interactions, and avenues for teaching about healthy sexual activity. Focus will be given to research in the areas of discrimination trials, social stories and video modeling.

“Individuals with ASD need to be explicitly taught how to appropriately seek physical relations as often they fail to make a satisfactory distinction between desired and undesired contact, which may be related to difficulties with social and emotional reciprocity. Therefore, relationships and sexuality education should pay particular attention to the learning of empathic and perspective taking skills.” Hellemans, H., Colson, K., Verbracken, C.,Vermeiren, R., Deboutte, D. (2007). Sexual behaviour in high-functioning male adolescents and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, (37),p. 260-269.