Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Building Capacity to Deliver Sex Education to Individuals with Autism

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Sexuality and Disability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Professionals from a variety of fields are called upon to understand the needs of individuals with autism, advocate for services, and provide sexuality education, however few have formal training. This study examined a process to build capacity for individuals with autism to receive human sexuality education through training professionals via a 1 day workshop and providing ongoing education online. To better understand both the context for professionals and the outcomes of the training we examined the reasons participants attended, their work climate surrounding issues of human sexuality education for individuals with autism, the extent to which the training changed instructional behavior and perceptions of readiness, and the differential effectiveness of follow-up education based on online delivery modality (Facebook update or email message). Participants were interested in attending a training on human sexuality education even if they had no intention to teach this topic. In general, the climate among attendees was positive for teaching human sexuality education both in terms of their own values and their perceptions of support by others. The workshop and follow-up online education were effective for increasing instructional behavior and feelings of readiness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Facebook recommends posting about once per day, but due to the limited resources of this project posting was limited to 3 days per week [31].

  2. We used a plain text email, however, we did consult with MailChimp email marketing plan guidelines [32].

References

  1. McGuire, B.E., Bayley, A.A.: Relationships, sexuality and decision-making capacity in people with an intellectual disability. Curr. Opin. Psychiatry (2011). doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e328349bbcb

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Despert, J.L.: Reflections on early infantile autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. (1971). doi:10.1007/BF01540528

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rumsey, J.M., Rapoport, J.L., Sceery, W.R.: Autistic children as adults: psychiatric, social, and behavioral outcomes. J. Am. Acad. Child Psychiatry (1985). doi:10.1016/S0002-7138(09)60566-5

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Irvine, A.: Issues in sexuality for individuals with developmental disabilities: myths, misconceptions, and mistreatment. Except. Educ. Can. 15, 5–20 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gilmour, L., Schalomon, P.M., Smith, V.: Sexuality in a community based sample of adults with Autism spectrum disorder. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. (2012). doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.06.003

    Google Scholar 

  6. Henault, I., Attwood, T.: Sexual Profile of Individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome: The Need for Understanding, Support, and Sex Education. Paper presented at the Melbourne World Autism Congress. (2002)

  7. Ousley, O.Y., Mesibov, G.B.: Sexual attitudes and knowledge of high-functioning adolescents and adults with autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. (1991). doi:10.1007/BF02206871

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Van Bourgondien, M.E., Reichle, N.C., Palmer, A.: Sexual behavior in adults with autism. J. Autism Dev. Disord. (1997). doi:10.1023/A:1025883622452

    Google Scholar 

  9. Crosse, S. B., Kaye, E., Ratnofsky, A.C.: A Report on the Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities. Westat Inc. National Centre on Child abuse and Neglect, Contract No. 105-89-11639. (1993)

  10. Gillberg, C.: Asperger syndrome and high functioning autism: shared deficits or different disorders? J. Dev. Learn. Disord. 5, 81–94 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Mandell, D.S., Walrath, C.M., Manteuffel, B., Sgro, G., Pinto-Martin, J.A.: The prevalence and correlates of abuse among children with autism served in comprehensive community-based mental health settings. Child Abuse Neglect. (2005). doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2005.06.006

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ray, F., Marks, C., Bray-Garretson, H.: Challenges to treating adolescents with Asperger’s syndrome who are sexually abusive. Sex. Addict. Compuls. (2004). doi:10.1080/10720160490900614

    Google Scholar 

  13. Stokes, M., Newton, N., Kaur, A.: Stalking, and social and romantic functioning among adolescents and adults with Autism spectrum disorder. J. Autism Dev. Disord. (2007). doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0344-2

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Nicholas, 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 Mental Health (2010). doi:10.1080/15332980902932383

    Google Scholar 

  15. American Psychiatric Association: DSM-V Development. http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=94# (2010). Accessed 7 Oct 2015

  16. Realmuto, G., Ruble, L.: Sexual behaviors in Autism: problems of definition and management. J. Autism Dev. Disord. (1999). doi:10.1023/A:1023088526314

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Chan, J., John, R.M.: Sexuality and sexual health in children and adolescents with autism. J. Nurse Pract. (2012). doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2012.01.020

    Google Scholar 

  18. May, D.C., Kundert, D.K.: Are special educators prepared to meet the sex education. J. Spectr. Educ. (1996). doi:10.1177/002246699602900405

    Google Scholar 

  19. Howard-Barr, E.M., Rienzo, B.A., Pigg Jr, R., James, D.: Teacher beliefs, professional preparation, and practices regarding exceptional students and sexuality education. J. School Health (2005). doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2005.00004.x

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kalyva, E.: Teachers’ perspectives of the sexuality of children with Autism spectrum disorders. Res. Autism Spectr. Disord. (2010). doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2009.10.014

    Google Scholar 

  21. Curtiss, S.L.: The birds and the bees. Retrieved from asdsexed.org (2013)

  22. Mezirow, J.: Transformative learning: theory to practice. New Dir. Adult Contin. Educ. (1997). doi:10.1002/ace.7401

    Google Scholar 

  23. Taylor, E.W.: The Theory and Practice of Transformative Learning: A Critical Review. ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career and Vocational Education (Information Series No 374), Columbus, Ohio: Center on Education and Training for Employment (1998)

  24. King, K.P.: Both sides now: examining transformative learning and professional development of educators. Innov. High. Educ. (2004). doi:10.1023/B:IHIE.0000048796.60390.5f

    Google Scholar 

  25. Trimble, L.: Transformative conversations about sexualities pedagogy and the experience of sexual knowing. Sex Educ. (2009). doi:10.1080/14681810802639954

    Google Scholar 

  26. Koller, R.: Sexuality and adolescents with autism. Sex. Disabil. (2000). doi:10.1023/A:1005567030442

    Google Scholar 

  27. Pietrykowski, B.: Knowledge and power in adult education: beyond Freire and Habermas. Adult Educ. Q. (1996). doi:10.1177/074171369604600203

    Google Scholar 

  28. Tervalon, M., Murray-Garcia, J.: Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. J. Health Care Poor Underserved (1998). doi:10.1353/hpu.2010.0233

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Eraut, M., Alderton, J., Cole, G., Senker, P.: Development of knowledge and skills at work. In: Coffield, F. (ed.) Differing Visions of a Learning Society: Research Findings, vol. 1, pp. 231–262. The Policy Press, Bristol (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Carlen, U., Jobring, O.: The rationale of online learning communities. Int. J. Web Based Communities (2005). doi:10.1504/IJWBC.2005.006927

    Google Scholar 

  31. Facebook: Best Practices for Page admins: How Often Should I Post on My Page? https://www.facebook.com/help/308791795819166/. Accessed 7 Oct 2015

  32. MailChimp: How to Create an Email Marketing Plan. http://mailchimp.com/resources/guides/how-to-create-an-email-marketing-plan/. Accessed 7 Oct 2015

  33. Davis, C.M., Yarber, W.L., Bauserman, R., Shreer, G., Davis, S.L.: Handbook of Sexulaity-Related Measures. Sage Publications, London (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Ryan, K., Gannon-Slater, N., Culbertson, M.J.: Improving survey methods with cognitive interviews in small-and medium-scale evaluations. Am. J. Eval. (2012). doi:10.1177/1098214012441499

    Google Scholar 

  35. Fallows, D. Email at Work: Few Feel Overwhelmed and Most are Pleased with the Way Email Helps Them Do Their Jobs. http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2002/PIP_Work_Email_Report.pdf.pdf (2002). Accessed 7 Oct 2015

  36. De Los Reyes, A., Kazdin, A.E.: When the evidence says, “Yes, no, and maybe so”. Curr. Dir. Psychol. Sci. (2008). doi:10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00546.x

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was funded by The Autism Program of Illinois.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1015 Doris Kelley Christopher Hall, 904 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Sarah L. Curtiss

  2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1001A Doris Kelley Christopher Hall, 904 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Aaron T. Ebata

Authors
  1. Sarah L. Curtiss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aaron T. Ebata
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah L. Curtiss.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Neither Sarah L. Curtiss nor Aaron T. Ebata has a conflict of interest related to this study.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This study was approved by the internal review board at the University of Illinois #12424.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Curtiss, S.L., Ebata, A.T. Building Capacity to Deliver Sex Education to Individuals with Autism. Sex Disabil 34, 27–47 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-016-9429-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-016-9429-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation