Sexuality

OAR hosted a free webinar on the topic of sexuality, sexuality education, and relationships which featured Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D., OAR Scientific Council chairman and executive director of the EPIC School (Paramus, N.J.), and Amy Gravino, M.A., president of A.S.C.O.T. consulting. Gerhardt and Gravino provided an overview of the many challenges associated with sexuality and sexuality education in ASD and offered recommendations as to the role individuals with autism, their families, and the professionals who support them need to play in this complex and important area of adult life. This video is the recording of the webinar, so people can access this content.

It goes without saying that individuals with ASD are sexual beings. Unfortunately, the biological, physiological and behavioral aspects of human sexuality in general remain significantly under-researched, so it is not surprising that there is even less research when it comes to sexuality and individuals on the autism spectrum.

This knowledge gap, when added to the social, cultural, religious and legal restrictions that often govern the display sexual behavior, results in an area of intervention about which we have limited evidence-based information as to

  • 1) the content of instruction in sex education,
  • 2) the process of instruction or intervention in sex education,
  • 3) the timing of intervention in sex education or,
  • 4) the development of effective interventions to prevent sexual abuse.
  • Various Books by Kate Reynolds for teenagers
  • Our Whole Lives: Sexuality Education Series (Unitarian Universalist Press)
  • The Guide to Getting it On by Paul Joannides and Daerick Gröss Sr.
  • Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence through Adulthood by Isabelle Henault
  • The Book of Happy, Positive, and Confident Sex for Adults on the Autism Spectrum…and Beyond! by Michael John Carley (Neurodiversity Press)
  • Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger’s Syndrome by Sarah Atwood (Jessica Kingsley Publshers)
  • The Autism Spectrum, Sexuality and the Law: What every parent and professional needs to know by Tony Atwood, Isabelle Henealt, and Nick Dublin (Jessica Kingsley Publishers)

Other Useful Materials

Sex ED for People with I/DD (YouTube)
Sex Talk for Self-Advocates Webinar Series
Sex Ed for self-advocates (OAR)
HeALTHY uNDERSTANDING OF oUR bODIES (hub)
(arc OF hARRISONBURG AND rOCKINGHAM)

Links

Prevention Resources

These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to prevent sexual abuse and assault in individuals with autism. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.

Be Safe: General Prevention Resources (ASERT)
Be Safe: Prevention Resources for Individuals with Autism

Intervention Resources

These resources are designed to provide information and tips on how to provide support to individuals with autism who may have experienced sexual abuse or assault. There are general resources that are appropriate for all ages and developmental levels, as well as specific resources for caregivers, professionals and individuals with autism.

Be Safe: General Intervention Resources
Be Safe: Intervention Resources for Individuals with Autism

Social Stories and Visual Resources

These resources are a combination of social stories and visual resources that can be used to teach various concepts related to the prevention and intervention of abuse and sexual abuse for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. These resources can be used alone, or in conjunction with the one page resources listed above.

General Community Safety

Relationship and Sex Education Materials

Teaching About Abuse

Talking About Abuse

Dealing With Sexual Abuse

Sexual Assault Awareness Toolkit (Elevatus)