Abstract
To explore the content of communication about sexuality between parents and children with autism spectrum disorders, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 parents of children ages 6–13. Content analysis and ethnographic summary were used to interpret the data. Findings suggest that parent’s perceptions of a child’s behaviors and comprehension are associated with the likelihood that communication occurs. However, parents recognize the risks their children experience, with the greatest fears being sexual victimization and misperceptions related to the intent of their child’s behaviors. This study provides information on the nature of communication about sexuality in families of children with autism spectrum disorders and can help tailor interventions aimed at assisting parents to communicate sexuality information effectively.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, D., Evans, C., Hider, A., Hawkins, S., Peckett, H., & Morgan, H. (2008). Offending behaviour in adults with Asperger syndrome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38, 748–758.
Blum, R. W., Kelly, A., & Ireland, M. (2001). Health-risk behaviors and protective factors among adolescents with mobility impairments and learning and emotional disabilities. Journal of Adolescent Health, 28, 481–490.
Capaldi, D. M., Stoolmiller, M., Clark, S., & Owen, L. D. (2002). Heterosexual risk behaviors in at-risk young men from early adolescence to young adulthood: Prevalence, prediction, and association with STD contraction. Developmental Psychology, 38, 394–406.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1998). Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States, 1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 47(SS-3), 1–31.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders- Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 14 sites, United States, 2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 56(SS-1), 12–28.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders- Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 14 sites, United States, 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 58(SS-10), 1–20.
Crockett, L. J., Bingham, C. R., Chopak, J. S., & Vicary, J. R. (1996). Timing of first sexual intercourse: The role of social control, social learning, and problem behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 25, 89–111.
DePoy, D. J., Hartman, A., & Haslett, D. (1999). Critical action research: A model of social knowing. Social Work, 44, 560–570.
Edelson, M. G. (2010). Sexual abuse of children with autism: Factors that increase risk and interfere with recognition of abuse. Disability Studies Quarterly, 30(1). Retrieved from http://www.dsq-sds.org/.
Gabriels, R. L., & Van Bourgondien, M. E. (2007). Sexuality and autism. In R. L. Gabriels & D. E. Hill (Eds.), Growing up with autism: Working with school-age children and adolescents (pp. 58–72). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Grieveo, A., McLaren, S., & Lindsay, W. (2007). An evaluation of research and training resources for the sex education of people with moderate to severe learning disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 35(1), 30–37.
Groce, N. E. (2003). HIV/AIDS and people with disability. The Lancet, 361, 1401–1402.
Hellemans, H., Colson, K., Verbraeken, C., Vermeiren, R., & Deboutte, D. (2007). Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 260–290.
Hellemans, H., Roeyers, H., Leplae, W., Dewaele, T., & Deboutte, D. (2010). Sexual behavior in male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and borderline/mild mental retardation. Sexuality and Disability, 28(2), 93–104.
Howlin, P. (1997). Autism: Preparing for adulthood. London, England: Routledge.
Jaccard, J., & Dittus, P. J. (1993). Parent-adolescent communication about premarital pregnancy. Families in Society, 74, 329–343.
Kaestle, C. E., Halpern, C. T., Miller, W. C., & Ford, C. A. (2005). Young age at first sexual intercourse and sexually transmitted infections in adolescents and young adults. American Journal of Epidemiology, 161, 774–780.
Kirby, D. B., Baumler, E., Coyle, K. K., Basen-Engquist, K., Parcel, G. S., Harrist, R., et al. (2004). The “Safer Choices” intervention: Its impact on the sexual behaviors of different subgroups of high school students. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35(6), 442–452.
Konstantareas, M. M., & Lunsky, Y. J. (1997). Sociosexual knowledge, experience, attitudes, and interests of individuals with autistic disorder and developmental delay. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 27(4), 397–413.
Levy, S. R., Perhats, C., Nash-Johnson, M., & Welter, J. F. (1992). Reducing the risks in pregnant teens who are very young and those with mild mental retardation. Mental Retardation, 30(4), 195–203.
Löfgren-Mårtenson, L. (2004). ‘May I?’ About sexuality and love in the new generation of intellectual disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 22(3), 197–207.
Mandell, D. S., Walrath, C. M., Manteufel, B., Sgro, G., & Pinto-Martin, J. A. (2005). The prevalence and correlates of abuse among children with autism served in comprehensive community-based mental health settings. Child Abuse and Neglect, 29, 1359–1372.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data atialysis: An expanded sourcehook (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Miller, B. C., Benson, B., & Galbraith, K. A. (2001). Family relationships and adolescent pregnancy risk: A research synthesis. Developmental Review, 21, 1–38.
O’Donnell, L., O’Donnell, C., & Stueve, A. (2001). Early sexual initiation and subsequent sex-related risks among urban minority youth: The Reach for Health Study. Family Planning Perspectives, 33(6), 268–275.
O’Donnell, L., Stueve, A., Agronick, G., Wilson-Simmons, R., Duran, R., & Jeanbaptiste, V. (2005). Saving sex for later: An evaluation of a parent education intervention. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 37(4), 166–173.
Padgett, D. K. (1998). Does the glove really fit? Qualitative research and clinical social work practice. Social Work, 43, 373–381.
Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Prelock, P. A., & Vargas, C. M. (2004). The role of partnerships in program development for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. In C. M. Vargas & P. A. Prelock (Eds.), Caring for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families (pp. 275–300). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Ray, F., Marks, C., & Bray-Garretson, H. (2004). Challenges to treating adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome who are sexually abusive. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 11, 265–285.
Ruble, L. (1992). Social/sexual awareness of persons with autism: A parental perspective. Unpublished master’s thesis, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
SIECUS (2011). Human sexuality position statement. Retrieved from http://siecus.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=494&parentID=472.
Stanton, B., Cole, M., Galbraith, J., Li, X., Pendleton, S., Cottrel, L., et al. (2004). Randomized trial of a parent intervention: Parents can make a difference in long-term adolescent risk behaviors, perceptions, and knowledge. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 158(10), 947–955.
Stokes, M., & Kaur, A. (2005). High-functioning autism and sexuality: A parental perspective. Autism, 9(3), 266–289.
Stokes, M., & Newton, N. (2004). Autistic spectrum disorders and stalking. Autism, 8(3), 337–339.
Tantum, D. (2000). Psychological disorder in adolescents and adults with Asperger Syndrome. Autism, 40, 47–62.
United Nations Enable (2011). Convention and optional protocol signatures and ratifications. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/disabilities/countries.asp?navid=12&pid=166.
Wallis, P. J. (2000). Issues in social sexuality for people with disabilities, their families, and professionals. In M. J. Fine & R. L. Simpson (Eds.), Collaboration with parents and families of children and youth with exceptionalities (pp. 391–407). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by a grant from the Silberman Fund awarded to Michelle S. Ballan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ballan, M.S. Parental Perspectives of Communication about Sexuality in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 676–684 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1293-y
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1293-y