Information to listen to or watch!

• https://sexologypodcast.com/2020/03/24/ep169-sexuality-and-autism-spectrum-disorder-with-dr-eileen-crehan/
  • Listen to a podcast with Dr. Eileen Crehan about sexuality and autism. Dr. Crehan will discuss how autism can interfere with sexual desire, the importance of being pro-active about what you want sexually, and recommendations for individuals with ASD who would like to have fulfilling sex lives
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlBpti_Dkow
  • Watch a recorded webinar by Dr. Eileen Crehan about the state of science surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity in autism. Dr. Crehan also shares resources on sexuality and relationship education programs that support autistic individuals.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNYHnK7gYds
  • Watch a recorded webinar by graduate student Simone Dufresne, MA about preparing for the transition to adulthood for young people with disabilities. The transition period can be an exciting but overwhelming phase of life for families. This webinar provides an overview of the transition process, areas of support to consider, and some of the available services for youth and families in New Jersey.

Sexual Health, Relationship, and Education Programs or Resources

• Sex ed for self-advocates: Written materials and videos on sex education for autistic individuals ages 15+, by autistic individuals
• Sexual self-advocacy training program: Sexual self-advocacy training to explore, identify, and communicate their preferences. Encourages safe, sexual exploration and promotes self-advocacy skills to set boundaries and request privacy
• SHEIDD Review of Sexual Health and Education Curricula Designed for People with Disabilities: Summary of sex ed program for DD with target populations, strengths, and adaptations
• FLASH Special education lesson plans
• Lessons plans by grade or for “Differing Abilities” from Canada: Individual lesson plans for various ages/learning abilities
• Tackling Teenage Training program: Sexuality and relationship education program for autistic teens, RCT results were positive
• Association for Autism and Neurodiversity: Provides resources and training for people who are in a romantic relationship with a neurodiverse or autistic Learn about why it is important to reframe a couple as neurodiverse and to find support to validate and normalize each partner’s experience.

Menstruation

• An article for parents
• Resource guide with ideas for activities
• Thinx and Ruby Love (and others): Absorbent underwear designed for periods, can be good for girls who have a sensory aversion to pads or who remove pads

Resources to Consult for Adaptations

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center 2013 Chart on Healthy Childhood Sexual Development
• The Facts of Life… and more: Sexuality and Intimacy for People with Intellectual Disabilities by Laura Walker-Hirsch
• Both of these resources include healthy sexual behaviors across childhood and how sexual education topics related to developmental age

Podcasts

• Unmasking Autism in Action with Devon Price: This podcast guest, Dr. Devon Price, helps them explore the concepts of masking and authenticity and how professionals can help support autistic people and push back against these pressures.
• Sex is Autistic: This episode of the Autistic Culture Podcast delves into the captivating topics of sex, gender, and sexuality with autistic hosts, Dr. Angela Lauria and Matt Lowry, LPP,.
• Sex Ed for Self-Advocates: This podcast is a sexuality and sex education resource written specifically for autistic people aged 15 and up. It is based on OAR’s original Sex Ed for Self-Advocates guide that is linked earlier in this resource list.
• Women, Sexuality, and Autism: On this episode of The Illuminare Podcast, the host sits down with Amy Gravino, an author, speaker, and autism sexuality advocate to discuss the importance of comprehensive sexual education for all individuals with disabilities, including individuals with autism, how sex can be a tool to reclaim independence, and how autism impacts women.

Helpful Materials to Consult

• Sexetc: Great clickable map that summaries state-specific guidelines such as sex ed laws, age of consent, sexting, etc. This site also has a lot of other great sex education resources and videos!
• Guttmacher Institute: Site that outlines sex and HIV education laws by state, also includes links to policy-related topics
• Goldman, J.D.G. (2008). Responding to parental objections to sexuality education: A selection of 12 objections. Sex Education: Sexuality, Society, and Learning. 8(4).: A summary of common parental objections and ways to continue the discussion. Not DD specific and intended for discussions about sex education in school but the approach is generalizable to work with parents who may be reluctant or resistant to discuss sexual health or sexuality
• Elevatus training: Training materials for addressing sexuality with people with developmental disabilities, programming available for parents and professionals
• In Their Own Words: Guidelines for supporting sexual health of young people with IDD
• Comprehensive list of resources (Massachusetts)
• Tarnai, & Wolfe, P.S. (2008) Social stories for sexuality education for persons with autism/pervasive developmental disorder. Sexuality and Disability, 26(1).
• Videos and materials on sexuality and IDD by Elizabeth Koss Schmidt

Books

• Autism Relationships Workbook by Faith Harper and Joe Biel: A great resource written for and by autistic adults that includes both text and exercise to reflect on personal boundaries and relationship goals
• Aspergers Syndrome and Sexuality by Isabelle Henault: Addresses a wide range of issues from puberty and sexual/gender identity development to guidelines for sex education programs and developing sexual boundaries. Useful for autistic individuals, parents, teachers, and counselors.
• E.X., The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens & Twenties by Heather Corinna: Addresses topics such as self-image, changing bodies, gender and sexual identities, safe sex practices, and so much more! Useful for teens and young adults
• The Facts of Life & More by Leslie Walker-Hirsch: Real life stories and interviews, examples of successful sexuality education techniques, Useful for adults (e.g. social workers, teachers, direct support professionals)
• A Guide to Gender by Sam Killermann: A comprehensive, not exhausting, slightly humorous dissection of gender. Can help you learn about yourself or how to communicate topics of gender to others – a good starting place. Useful for adolescents, teens, and adults alike
• Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Schooling edited by Stephen Russell & Stacey Horn: Addresses research, policy, and practices to support LGBTQ students and schools. Useful for professional adults in education or psychology fields

Online Resources

• Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network: The mission of Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network (AWN) is to provide community, support, and resources for Autistic women, girls, nonbinary people, and all others of marginalized genders. Useful for autistic individuals of marginalized genders.
• GLAAD: Promotes LGBTQ acceptance and provokes dialogue in the hopes of leading to cultural Useful for adolescents, teens, and adults
• Planned Parenthood: Provides reproductive health care, sex education, and information. Useful for teens and adults.
• Dating websites
• Autistic Dating
• Dating 4 Disabled
• Hiki (dating and friendship)
• Friendship websites
• MeetUp

Television Shows

• Sex Education (Netflix): A high school student with a sex therapist mother offers guidance to his peers.
• Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (Hulu): The untimely death of a father leads to siblings coping with loss, navigating autism, sexuality, consent, and budding adulthood.
• Atypical (Netflix): A teenager on the autism spectrum decides to start dating, to his mother’s dismay.

Empirical Studies of Autism and Sexuality

• Dekker, L. P., van der Vegt, E. J. M., van der Ende, J., Tick, N., Louwerse, A., Maras, A., Verhulst, F. C., & Greaves-Lord, K. (2017). Psychosexual functioning of cognitively-able adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared to typically developing peers: The development and testing of the Teen Transition Inventory- a self- and parent report questionnaire on psychosexual functioning. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(6), 1716–1738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3071-y
• Dewinter, , De Graaf, H., & Begeer, S. (2017). Sexual orientation, gender identity, and romantic relationships in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(9), 2927–2934. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3199-9

• Dewinter, J., Vermeiren, R., Vanwesenbeeck, I., & Van Nieuwenhuizen, Ch. (2016). Parental awareness of sexual experience in adolescent boys with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 713–719 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2622-3

• George, R., & Stokes, M. A. (2018). Gender identity and sexual orientation in autism spectrum Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 22(8), 970–982. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317714587
• Holmes, L. G., & Himle, M. B. (2014). Brief report: Parent–child sexuality communication and autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(11), 2964–2970. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2146-2

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