Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may be disproportionately at risk of experiencing sexual abuse and victimization. Moreover, limited research suggests some individuals with ASD may be more likely to engage in sexual offending behavior. The present review addresses both sexual abuse and offending within the ASD population. The literature review was conducted utilizing PsycINFO and the Education Resources Information Center. Characteristics of the ASD population and how they relate to both victimization and offending are assessed. Additionally, a brief review of sexual education for this population is presented.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sullivan, A., Caterino, L.: Addressing the sexuality and sex education of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Educ. Treat. Child. 31(3), 381–394 (2008)
Meister C, Norlock, D.: Sexuality and autism: a parenting skills enhancement group. Sex Inf. Educ. Counc. Can. (1994)
Nichols, S., Blakeley-Smith, A.: “I’m not sure we’re ready for this …”: working with families toward facilitating healthy sexuality for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Soc. Work Ment. Health. 8(1), 72–91 (2010)
Westcott, L., Jones, H.: Annotation: the abuse of disabled children. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry. 40(04), 497–506 (1999)
La Malfa, G., Lassi, S.: Autism and intellectual disability: a study of prevelance on a sample of the Italian population. J. Intellect. Disabil. 48, 262–267 (2004)
Fombonne, E.: Epidemiological surveys of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders: an update. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 33(4), 365–382 (2003)
Gabriels, R., Van Bourgondien, M.: Sexuality and Autism. In: Gabriels, R.L., Hill, D.E. (eds.) Growing up with Autism, pp. 58–72. Guilford Press, New York (2007)
Mandell, S., Walrath, M.: Characteristics of children with autistic spectrum disorders served in comprehensive community-based mental health settings. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 35(3), 313–321 (2005)
Pereda, N., Guilera, G.: The prevalence of child sexual abuse in community and student samples: a meta-analysis. Clin. Psychol. Rev. 29(4), 328–338 (2009)
Balogh, R., Bretherton, K.: Sexual abuse in children and adolescents with intellectual disability. J. Intellect. Disabil. Res. 45(3), 194–201 (2001)
Edelson, G.: Sexual abuse of children with autism: factors that increase risk and interfere with recognition of abuse. Disability Studies Quarterly. Retrieved from http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/1058/1228. (2010) 30(1)
Adolphs, R., Sears, L.: Abnormal processing of social information from faces in autism. J. Cogn. Neurosci. 13(2), 232–240 (2001)
Hill, E., Berthoz, S.: Brief report: cognitive processing of own emotions in individuals with autistic spectrum disorder and in their relatives. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 34(2), 229–235 (2004)
Baron-Chohen, S.: Theory of mind and autism: a review. In: Autism. Academic Press. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.spot.lib.auburn.edu/science/article/B7J14-4F4B7K1-B/2/8e2577c1db9b326f7ba373e19e5b699c. (2000) 23, pp.169–184
Hellmans, H., Roeyers, H.: Sexual behavior in male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and borderline/mild mental retardation. Sex. Disabil. 28, 93–104 (2010). doi:10.1007/s11195-009-9145-9
Howlin, P., Clements, J.: Is it possible to assess the impact of abuse on children with pervasive developmental disorders? J. Autism Dev. Disord. 25, 3376–3454 (1995)
Mehtar, M., Mukaddes, M.: Posttraumatic stress disorder in individuals with diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. 5(1), 539–546 (2011)
Allen, D., Evans, C.: Offending behaviour in adults with asperger syndrome. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 38(4), 748–758 (2007). doi:10.1177/1748895811398455
Haskins, B., Silva, J.: Asperger’s disorder and criminal behavior: forensic-psychiatric considerations. J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law. 34(3), 374–384 (2006)
Murrie, C., Warren, I.: Asperger’s syndrome in forensic settings. Int. J. Forensic Ment. Health. 1(1), 59–70 (2002)
Ray, F., Marks, C.: Challenges to treating adolescents with asperger’s syndrome who are sexually abusive. Sex. Addict. Compuls. 11(4), 265–285 (2004)
Baron-Cohen, S.: An assessment of violence in a young man with Asperger’s syndrome. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 29, 351–360 (1998)
Kohn, Y., Fahum, T.: Aggression and sexual offense in asperger’s syndrome. Isr. J. Psychiatry Relat. Sci. 35, 293–299 (1998)
Mawson, D., Grounds, A.: Violence and Asperger’s syndrome: a case study. Br. J. Psychiatry 147, 566–569 (1985)
Varker, T., Devilly, J.: Empathy and adolescent sexual offenders: a review of the literature. Aggress. Violent Behav. 13, 251–260 (2008)
Scragg, P., Shah, A.: Prevalence of Asperger’s syndrome in a secure hospital. Br. J. Psychiatry 165(5), 679–682 (1994)
Ehlers, S., Gillberg, C.: The epidemiology of asperger syndrome. a total population study. J. Child Psychol. Psychiatry 34, 1327–1350 (1993)
Långström, N., Grann, M.: Risk factors for violent offending in autism spectrum disorder. J. Interpers. Violence. 24(8), 1358–1370 (2009)
Siponmaa, L., Kristiansson, M.: Juvenile and young adult mentally disordered offenders: the role of child neuropsychiatric disorders. J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law. 29(4), 420–426 (2001)
Blanchard, R., Watson, S.: Pedophiles: mental retardation, maternal age, and sexual orientation. Arch. Sex. Behav. 28, 111–127 (1999)
Kalyva, E.: Teachers’ perspectives of the sexuality of children with autism spectrum disorders. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. 4(3), 433–437 (2010)
Ruble, L., Dalrymple, J.: Social/sexual awareness of persons with autism: a parental perspective. Arch. Sex. Behav. 22(3), 229–240 (1993)
Van Bourgondien, E., Reichle, C.: Sexual behavior in adults with autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 27, 113–125 (1997)
Hellemans, H., Colson, K.: Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 37, 260–269 (2007)
Koller, R.: Sexuality and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Sex. Disabil. 18(2), 125–135 (2000)
Mehzabin, P., Stokes, A.: Self-assessed sexuality in young adults with high-functioning autism. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 5(1), 614–621 (2011)
Hénault, I., Atwood, T.: The Sexual Profile of Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome: The Need for Understanding, Support, and Sex Education. Paper presented at the Inaugural World Autism Congress, Melbourne Australia (2002)
Stokes, M., Newton, N.: Stalking, and social and romantic functioning among adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 37(10), 1969–1986 (2007)
Hénault, I.: Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence Through Adulthood. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London (2006)
Tarnai, B., Wolfe, S.: Social stories for sexuality education for persons with Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Sex. Disabil. 26(1), 29–36 (2007)
Tissot, C.: Establishing a sexual identity. Autism. 13(6), 551–566 (2009)
Gerhardt, P., Lainer, I.: Addressing the needs of adolescents and adults with autism: a crisis on the horizon. J. Contemp. Psychother. 41, 37–45 (2011)
Gougeon, N.: Sexuality and Autism: a critical review of selected literature using a social-relational model of disability. Am. J. Sex. Educ. 5, 328 (2010). doi:10.1080/15546128.2010.527237
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States. Position statements. Retrieved February 5th, 2008, from http://www.siecus.org/about/abou0001.html
Konstantareas, M., Lunsky, Y.: Sociosexual knowledge, experience, attitudes, and interests of individuals with autistic disorder and developmental delay. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 27, 397–413 (1997)
Lunsky, Y., Konstantareas, M.: The attitudes of individuals with autism and mental retardation towards sexuality. Educ. Train. Ment. Retard. Development. Disabil. 33, 24–33 (1998)
Ballan, M.: Parents as sexuality educators for their children with developmental disabilities. SIECUS Rep. 29, 14–19 (2001)
Bedard, C., Zhang, H.: Gender identity and sexual orientation in people with developmental disabilities. Sex. Disabil. 28(3), 165–175 (2010)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sevlever, M., Roth, M.E. & Gillis, J.M. Sexual Abuse and Offending in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sex Disabil 31, 189–200 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-013-9286-8
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-013-9286-8