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Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Self-reported Behaviours and Attitudes

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders volume 45, pages 731–741 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Differences in sexual functioning of adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are understudied. In the current study, self-reported sexual behaviours, interests and attitudes of 50 adolescent boys, aged 15–18, with at least average intelligence and diagnosed with ASD, were compared with a matched general population control group of 90 boys. Results demonstrated substantial similarity between the groups in terms of sexual behaviours. The only significant difference was that boys with ASD reacted more tolerant towards homosexuality compared to the control group. Results reveal that sexuality is a normative part of adolescent development in high-functioning boys with ASD. Hence, attention should be given to this topic in education and mental health care.

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Acknowledgments

We are most grateful to all boys and their parents who participated in this study. The authors also would like to thank Hanneke De Graaf, Rutgers WPF, for sharing the SO25II questionnaire and data. Also thanks to Karin Brouwers and colleagues at Koninklijke Kentalis, Eindhoven; Liesbeth Van Vught and colleagues at Pleinschool Helder, Eindhoven; Jan Wijnja and colleagues at VSO De Korenaer, Eindhoven; Karien de Jonge and colleagues at Herlaarhof, Vught; Sussiel Brands at Leo Kannerhuis Brabant, Tilburg; Sanne Herpers and MJ Verhappen at GGzOostbrabant and our colleagues at UKJA, Antwerpen and GGzE. No grants or support were received for this work. This research project was part of the requirements to fulfil the postacademic specialist training in Clinical Psychology at Rino Zuid, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tranzo, Scientific Centre for Care and Welfare, Tilburg University, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Jeroen Dewinter & Chijs Van Nieuwenhuizen

  2. Centre for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, GGzE, PO Box 909 (DP1104), 5600 AX, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Jeroen Dewinter & Chijs Van Nieuwenhuizen

  3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-LUMC, PO box 15, 2300 AA, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Robert Vermeiren

  4. VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, PO Box 303, 1115 ZG, Duivendrecht, The Netherlands

    Robert Vermeiren

  5. Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Ine Vanwesenbeeck

  6. Rutgers WPF, PO Box 9022, 3506 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Ine Vanwesenbeeck

  7. Department of Clinical Psychological Science, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Jill Lobbestael

  8. RINO Zuid Postdoctoral Training Institute, PO Box 826, 5624 AD, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Jill Lobbestael

Authors
  1. Jeroen Dewinter
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  2. Robert Vermeiren
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  3. Ine Vanwesenbeeck
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  4. Jill Lobbestael
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  5. Chijs Van Nieuwenhuizen
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Correspondence to Jeroen Dewinter.

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Dewinter, J., Vermeiren, R., Vanwesenbeeck, I. et al. Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Self-reported Behaviours and Attitudes. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 731–741 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2226-3

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