Assessing Needs, Designing and Delivering Socio-sexual Education for Young People on the Autism Spectrum

The primary goal of education in sex and relationships is to promote relationships, sexual health and appropriate behaviour. It should assist young people on the autism spectrum in developing a positive view of sexuality, provide them with information they need to take care of their sexual health, make relationships, and help them acquire skills to make decisions now and in the future.

Sexual development is a multidimensional process, linked to the basic human needs of being liked and accepted, displaying and receiving affection, feeling valued and attractive, and sharing thoughts and feelings. It not only involves anatomy and physical functioning, but it also relates to sexual knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and values. Sexuality should be considered in a context that extends beyond genital sex to include gender-role socialisation, physical maturation and body image, social relationships, and future social aspirations. Key milestones of adolescent development include attaining an adult body capable of reproducing, having and maintaining intimate relationships, managing a range of complex emotions, and independently thinking and problem-solving.

The purpose of this course

The purpose of day 1 is to:

• Support participants to explore what is known about how ASD impacts on the sexuality of individuals and their ability to develop relationships.
• Explore the issues around social and emotional cognition, sex and sexuality and ASC.
• Explore the issues around normal psychosexual development and development in ASC.
• Improve social and sexual skills – learning adaptive and positive behaviours and understanding the function of problem behaviours.
• To provide an overview of what should be included in a sexuality education programme for adolescents and adults with ASC.
• Provide an opportunity to share ideas and best practice and ask questions around the implications of sexuality and relationships for people on the Autism Spectrum.

The purpose of day 2 is to:

• Support participants to prepare individual and group programmes for young people on the autism spectrum through an increased understanding of how autism impacts on physical development and sexuality.
• Practical solutions to the problems of teaching, learning and understanding often abstract concepts
• Enhancing capacity to make sexuality-related decisions and developing a young person’s capacity to consent through:
  • Better knowledge
  • Developing their own limits and judgement
  • Decoding situations – interpersonal & intimate contexts
  • Improving social and sexual skills-  learning adaptive and positive behaviours
  • Decreasing problem behaviours
  • Creating new opportunities (knowledge, experience & sharing) to maximise social inclusion
  • Encouraging independence (choices, decisions, judgement)

The key content

• Exploring the issues around psychosexual development and ASC.
• What we can learn from people with ASC themselves and the problems and differences experienced by them and for those who live and work with them.
• Understanding what is sex and relationship education – strategies to plan an appropriate individualised programme.
• An opportunity to share ideas and best practice and ask questions around the implications of sexuality and relationships for people on the Autism Spectrum.

Expected Outcomes

• Identify teaching topics and practical solutions for teaching adolescents and adults that will help support individuals with ASC understand themselves better and their sexuality as part of who they are.
• Identify strategies that will support a better understanding of different kinds of relationships.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the range and variation of the Autism Spectrum and to plan an appropriate individualised programme/person-centered plan.