Sex Abuse Risk Higher For People With Autism

Abstract

There is a significant gap in understanding the risk of sexual victimization in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and the variables that contribute to risk. Age appropriate sexual interest, limited sexual knowledge and experiences, and social deficits, may place adults with ASD at increased risk. Ninety-five adults with ASD and 117 adults without ASD completed questionnaires regarding sexual knowledge sources, actual knowledge, perceived knowledge, and sexual victimization. Individuals with ASD obtained less of their sexual knowledge from social sources, more sexual knowledge from non-social sources, had less perceived and actual knowledge, and experienced more sexual victimization than controls. The increased risk of victimization by individuals with ASD was partially mediated by their actual knowledge. The link between knowledge and victimization has important clinical implications for interventions.

 

Read the full article here.

Archived Webinar - Sexuality Instruction and Learners with ASD

Persons with ASD are sexual beings. However, individual interest in sex or in developing an intimate sexual relationship with another person varies widely across individuals at all ability levels. There is a significant need for individualized, effective instruction for persons with ASD across the ability spectrum. 

On completion of this workshop participants will be able to: 

Provide an overview of the components of sexuality education, 
Recognize the importance of sexuality education as one component of community safety training, 
Recognize some the challenges to effective sexuality education specific to learners on the autism spectrum.

View the webinar here. 

Archived Webinar - Supporting the Sexual and Social Development of Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Sexual development is a natural part of the life course of any individual but can cause particular fear and misunderstanding among parents and staff of people with intellectual disability who often feel responsible for the development of knowledge and healthy attitudes in this area but do not always feel equipped with the proper tools to support meaningful education. This webinar is intended to provide useful information and tips for parents, caregivers, and staff on engaging people with intellectual disability around their social and sexual development.

Enter your email, then your name and email and you will find the link to the archived webinar.

Archived Webinars from Seattle Children's Autism Center

Autism 201: State of Autism in 2014

Autism 202: Navigating Insurance Benefits – What You Need to Know About Health Insurance Benefits for Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism

Autism 201: State of Autism in 2013

Autism 202: Addressing Challenging Behaviors – Strategies for Families


Autism 204: Supporting Speech, Language and Communication with Mobile Technology

Autism 205: Legal Planning for Individuals with Disabilities – Guardianship, Public Benefits and Estate Planning

Autism 206: Anxiety

Autism 207: The Transition to Adulthood


Autism 208: Social Communication

 

Autism 209: Relationships, Puberty and Sexual Health

 

Autism 210: Highway to Hell or Stairway to Heaven? – Parenting a Child with Autism

Autism 211: Panel Discussion – Developing and Advocating for Services in Local Communities
Source