Sexual Health is “…a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.” (WHO, 2006a)
My Pinterest for Relationships, Sexuality, and Gender Identity for Individuals with ASD
My Presentations
Information
Resources
Sexuality Podcast Transcripts
NPR
Dating and Relationships:
Gender Identity:
Puberty:
Sexual Health:
Parent/Professional Resources
Standards
Lesson Plans
Teaching resources
Addressing Risks of Victimization and Responding to Victimization
Responding to Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders:
http://autpress.com/: Autonomous Press is an independent publisher focusing on works about neurodivergence, queerness, and the various ways they can intersect with each other and with other aspects of identity and lived experience. We are a partnership of neurodivergent workers including writers, poets, artists, musicians, community scholars, and professors. Each partner takes on a share of the work of managing the press and production, and all of our workers are co-owners.
My Pinterest for Relationships, Sexuality, and Gender Identity for Individuals with ASD
My Presentations
- asd_and_sexuality_gi_and_rel_comic.pdf
- asd_and_sexuality_gi_and_rel_comic_presentation.pptx
- asd_and_sexuality_gi_and_rel_bibliography.pdf
- lga_asd_and_sexuality_presentation.pdf
- sexuality_and_asd_bingo.pdf
Information
- effects-of-differing-neuro-devt-levels-on-nt-asd-adult-relationships-english.pdf
- factors_impacting_sexual_devel_handout.pdf
- gender_development_in_children.pdf
- piagets_dev_stages_and_sex_ed.pdf
- resource_list_of_materials_and_websites_for_working_with_individuals_with_asd_on_sexuality.pdf
- sociosexuality_education_for_persons_with_asd.pdf
- stages_of_empathy_and_perspective_taking_development.pdf
- typical_sexual_development.pdf
Resources
- boundary_circles.pdf
- boundary_circles_adol_and_adult.pdf
- comic-strip-conversation---adults.pdf
- explicit_sexual_language_5_point_scale.pdf
- genderbread-person-3.3-hi-res.pdf
- incredible_5_point_scale.pdf
- inappropriate_vs_appropriate_behaviors.pdf
- masturbation_flowchart.pdf
- reaction_rules_and_comic_strip_conversations.pdf
- social_behavior_map_expected.pdf
- social_behavior_map_unexpected.pdf
- upsr_sre_individual_behaviour_plan_for.pdf
- Shared on Listserv
- from livingwellwithautism.com
- from visualaidsforlearning (this website no longer seems to be up so I am posting this excellent free resources here)
- visualaids_adolescent_body_8_images_per_page.pdf
- visualaids_adolescent_boy_16_images_per_page.pdf
- visualaids_adolescent_girl_16_images_per_page.pdf
- visualaids_adolescent_lanyard_16_images_per_page.pdf
- visualaids_adolescent_places_16_images_per_page.pdf
- visualaids_adolescent_publicprivatebodyparts.pdf
- visualaids_adolescent_space_16_images_per_page.pdf
Sexuality Podcast Transcripts
- sociosexuality_podcast_flow_chart.pdf--this is a flowchart of the planned topics that I will be covering as a part of this series of podcasts. As one point of awareness, I included the topics of Gender Identity and Consent under the subject heading of Additional Points of Discussion, with other topics like Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders and Pornography. This may imply a "problem" focus to some. Nothing could be further from the truth. These topics, because of their breadth and impact, all deserve specific consideration; and do not deserve to be shoehorned in with other topics. Similarly, some topics under the Tiered Levels of Interventions (like Exploitation and Victimization) will receive their own podcasts because of their importance.
- http://flexiblemindtherapy.podbean.com/: my podcast
- Podcast 0: Overall Introduction to Series
- Podcast 1: Intro to Sexuality and ASD
- Podcast 2: Social Challenges
- Podcast 3: Ableism
- Podcast 4: Neuropsychological Frameworks
- Podcast 5: Neuropsychological Frameworks 2--Systemizing vs. Empathizing and Interpersonal Synchronization
- Podcast 6: Exploitation and Victimization 1
- Podcast 7: Exploitation and Victimization 2-Signs and Symptoms and Digital Risks and Signs
- Podcast 8 Sexuality and ASD Exploitation and Victimization 3: Training for Individuals with ASD
NPR
Dating and Relationships:
- The Asperger Couple's Workbook: Practical Advice and Activities for Couples and Counsellors--book
- Asperger Syndrome and Long-Term Relationships--book
- The Aspie Girl's Guide to Being Safe with Men--book
- Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome--book chapter
- Autistics' Guide to Dating: A Book by Autistics, for Autistics and Those Who Love Them or Who Are in Love with Them--book
- Boyfriends & Girlfriends: A Guide to Dating for People with Disabilities--book (not ASD specific)
- Counseling for Asperger Couples: book
- Decoding Dating: A Guide to the Unwritten Rules of Dating for Men with Asperger Syndrome--book
- The Guide to Dating for Teenagers with Asperger Syndrome--book
- Healthy Relationships: Build relationships the right way so you can avoid all that drama and pain, not to mention the gossip!
- Helping Adults with Autism Understand and Develop Romantic Relationships: Free TEACCH Webinar
- Love, Partnership, or Singleton on the Autism Spectrum--book
- Mike's Crush: Understanding High School Relationships for Youth with Autism and Learning Disabilities--video, curriculum
- The Other Half of Asperger Syndrome (Autism Spectrum Disorder): A Guide to Living in an Intimate Relationship with a Partner Who is on the Autism Spectrum--book
- PEERS For Young Adults: Excellent resource with chapters on dating and a companion website with related videos
- Reading Body Language: Flirting Cards--downloadable resource
- Safety Skills for Asperger Women: how to Save a Perfectly Good Female Life--book
- Sex and the Single Aspie--book
- Sexual Development and Romantic Relationships--Book Chapter in Girls with Autism Becoming Women
- Troubleshooting Relationships on the Autism Spectrum: A User's Guide to Resolving Relationship Problems--book
- What Men with Asperger Syndrome Want to Know About Women, Dating and Relationships--book
- Healthy Relationships & Autism--comprehensive curriculum
Gender Identity:
- Gender & Sexuality for Beginners--book not autism specific
- Gender Identity and Autism Spectrum Disorders: journal article
- Gender Identity, Sexuality and Autism: Voices from Across the Spectrum--book
- Gender Quest Workbook: A Guide for Teens and Young Adults Exploring Gender Identity--book
- Gender Variance Among Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review--journal article
- Gender Dysphoria and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of the Literature--Article
- Living between genders--website article
- Sexual Orientation and Gender-Identity in High-Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder--thesis
- Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults--book
- The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals--book not autism specific
- Transitioning Together: One Couple’s Journey of Gender and Identity Discovery--book
- Uncomfortable Labels--book
- Uncovering the Connection Between Autism and Gender Dysphoria--website article
- Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence Through Adulthood
- Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger Syndrome--book chapter
- Life on the Autism Spectrum: A Guide for Girls and Women--Book Chapter
- relationships & sexuality: A Handbook For and By Autistic People--free online handbook
- sex, sexuality, and the Autism Spectrum--book
- Women and Girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Understanding Life Experiences from Early Childhood to Old Age--Book Chapter
Puberty:
- Autism-Asperger's & Sexuality: Puberty and Beyond--book
- The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods--Book
- The Boy's Guide to Growing Up and Choices and Changes During Puberty--book
- A Boy's Puberty Video
- Exploring Friendships, Puberty and Relationships: A Programme to Help Children and Young People on the Autism Spectrum to Cope with the Challenges of Adolescence
- The Girl's Guide to Growing Up and Choices & Changes in the Tween Years--book
- The Growing Up Book for Boys: What Boys on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know!--book
- The Growing Up Guide for Girls: What Girls on the Autism Spectrum Need to Know!--book
- Healthy Bodies Toolkit: A Parent's Guide on Puberty for Boys and Girls with Disabilities--free toolkits
- Managing Puberty, Social Challenges, and (Almost) Everything: A Video Guide for Girls: video
- Puberty: A Guide for Teenagers with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents--free ebook
- Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism--book
- What's Happening to Ellie?: A book about puberty for girls and young women with autism and related conditions--book
- What's Happening to Tom?: A book about puberty for boys and young men with autism and related conditions--book
- When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty: A Parents' Q&A Guide to Health, Sexuality and Relationships--book
Sexual Health:
Parent/Professional Resources
- asdsexed.org: website with comprehensive list of free and paid resources for teaching socio-sexual education
- Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality: From Adolescence Through Adulthood--book
- The Autism Spectrum, Sexuality and the Law: What every parent and professional needs to know--book
- Charting the Course: A Family Toolkit to Help Youth with Autism Navigate Sexuality and Relationships: free resource
- Child Sexual Abuse Curriculum for the Developmentally Disabled--book
- Coaching Your Child about Sex, Safety, and Self-Care--book chapter in Autism and Your Teen
- Exploring Sexual and Social Understanding: an illustrated pack designed for working with people with learning disabilities
- The Facts of Life…and More: Sexuality and Intimacy for People with Developmental Disabilities--book
- Family Therapy and the Autism Spectrum: Autism Conversations in Narrative Practice--book
- How to Talk with Your Kids About Pornography--book
- http://www.inreachnc.org/site/images/pdf_files/intimacy.pdf: The information in this guide is to help staff with discussions about human intimacy and sexual health they may have with their customers. It is a resource to help guide them through those sensitive topics. (from http://www.inreachnc.org/site/images/pdf_files/intimacy.pdf)
- Just Say Know! Understanding and Reducing the Risk of Sexual Victimization of People with Developmental Disabilities--book
- Sex Education and Puberty: Here are some ideas for talking to your child about puberty, sex, sexuality and relationships, as well as links to some useful resources. From the National Autistic Society.
- Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder--online resource
- Sexuality and Disability: A Guide for Parents: resource for parents exploring what sexuality is, parent's role in teaching sexuality, and facts about sexuality and disability
- Sexuality and Severe Autism: A Practical Guide for Parents, Caregivers and Health Educators--book
- Sexuality: Your Sons and Daughters with Intellectual Disabilities—book
- http://www.steegepublications.com/--website contains a number of different publications including: Sex Education for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Social Skills & Sex Education, and A Training Manual for Direct Care Staff.
- The Ethics of Touch-- Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with people with developmental disabilities. Two videos and manual.
Standards
- SIECUS Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education--free resource
Lesson Plans
- Differing Abilities: Teaching Sexual Health Lesson Plans--free online lesson plans
- FLASH Lesson Plans for Special Education: free online lesson plans
- Rights, Respect, Responsibility: A K-12 Sexuality Education Curriculum--free online lesson plans
Teaching resources
- A 5 Is Against the Law! Social Boundaries: Straight Up! An honest guide for teens and young adults--book
- http://able2learn.com/: Able2learn Inc. provides free inclusive educational material with a special focus on Autism and other Learning Disabilities for anyone, anywhere. Able2learn helps the parent/teacher with materials to help create a customized learning program suited to his or her needs. Make your own combination with our materials or use them in conjunction with another program. Free resources include: When Can I Masturbate Social Stories Boys and Girls Versions; Puberty Social Stories Boys and Girls Versions; I have My Period Flashcards, etc. A subscription is required to access the materials. (from http://able2learn.com/)
- All About Boundaries: Teaching Children about "Drawing the Line"--book
- Autism and Appropriate Touch: A Photocopiable Resource for Helping Children and Teens on the Autism Spectrum Understand the Complexities of Physical Interaction--book
- The Autism Spectrum Guide to Sexuality and Relationships: Understand Yourself and Make Choices that are Right for You--book
- Cases on Teaching Sexuality Education to Individuals With Autism
- Communicating About Sexuality: Communicating About Sexuality was developed in collaboration with the Speak Up Project, a three-year project focused on safeguarding users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) from sexual abuse. It contains over 400 Picture Communication Symbols (English only), and 48 communication boards focusing on the expression of sexuality. Describing pages help communicators express feelings and effectively communicate time and sequence of events. (from mayer-johnson.com/communicating-about-sexuality)--CD
- http://diverse-city.com/: Diverse City Press is a small publishing company which aims to provide educational materials for people with disabilities and their care providers. The company is informed by the disability rights movement, and is closely linked with organizations and individuals fighting for the rights of all people with disabilities to take control of their own lives and control their own fate. (from http://diverse-city.com/) Has resources for teaching staff and individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities, including videos on masterbation for men and women, as well as condom use.
- Hand Made Love: a Guide for Teaching About Male Masturbation, by Dave Hingsburger, (DVD format) This book and DVD set aimed at men with developmental disabilities discusses privacy, pleasure and the realities of sharing living spaces with others. The narrator of the video talks about myths and suggests that masturbation can be a way of learning about sex, while the book discusses masturbation from the point of view of both health and pleasure.
- Finger Tips: a Guide for Teaching about Female Masturbation, by Dave Hingsburger & Sandra Haar, (DVD format) This book and DVD set is aimed at teaching women with developmental disabilities about masturbation. It also confronts typical myths about female sexuality. A gentle, positive film that is clear, graphic and dignified. The book includes a step by step photographic essay about masturbation, and the joy of private time.
- An Exceptional Children's Guide to Touch: Teaching Social and Physical Boundaries to Kids--book
- Freaks, Geeks, & Asperger Syndrome: a user guide to adolescence--book
- Going Further: free Sex and Relationships Education course for learners aged 16+ with a moderate learning disability or ASD attending colleges of further education.
- Healthy Relationships Curriculum: A Guide into Adulthood--comprehensive curriculum
- Hygiene and Related Behaviors for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders: A Fun Curriculum with a Focus on Social Understanding--book
- The Independent Woman's Handbook for Super Safe Living on the Autistic Spectrum--book
- Intimate Relationships and Sexual Health: A Curriculum for Teaching Adolescents/Adults with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Social Challenges--book and CD with handouts
- LifeFacts: Sexuality--curriculum
- Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for people with Asperger's Syndrome--book
- Personal Hygiene? What's that Got to Do with Me?--book
- Puberty and Sexuality Social Stories and Related Products
- relationships & sexuality: A Handbook For and By Autistic People--free online handbook
- Relationship Building & Sexual Awareness for Kids with Autism: S.T.A.R.S 2--book
- Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Resource for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder--free online resource for individuals and organizations involved in delivering sexual health and relationships education to those with an autism spectrum disorder
- SAFE SECS Curriculum: curriculum written by Alexis Gebb and Sadie Guthrie to educate students with moderate to severe disabilities on sexuality health. This curriculum is currently free on the teacherspayteachers.com website.
- Secret Girls Business: Secret Girls’ Business® Partnership evolved due to the authors’ desire to support the increasing number of girls experiencing early puberty. Our search to find suitable age appropriate sexuality education books revealed the lack of puberty books written for this age group. This led us to write and publish our first book ‘Secret Girls’ Business®’ They now have a number of resources for young women and men that can be used to support sexuality and puberty education.(from: http://www.secretgb.com/)
- Sex, Drugs and Asperger's Syndrome: A User's Guide to Adulthood: book
- Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders--book
- Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities: sexuality curriculum offered by Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities Workshops.
- Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities
- Sexuality for All Abilities: Teaching and Discussing Sexual Health in Special Education--book
- https://www.sexualityforallabilities.com/: website with sexuality curriculum, tips, and tools to support the sexual health of people with disabilities.
- Sisterhood of the Spectrum: An Asperger Chick's Guide to Life--book
- Social Boundaries: The Circles Curriculum--comprehensive curriculum
- Special Learning, Inc.: Special Learning’s comprehensive line of teaching and training solutions, including digital teaching kits, training webcasts, mobile apps, teaching supports and virtual consulting services, inform, educate and empower parents, teachers and providers in implementing effective teaching and treatment practices for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Includes a range of free downloads and paid Social Story curriculum in areas including puberty and sex ed. (from: https://www.special-learning.com/)
- S.T.A.R.S.: Skills Training for Assertiveness, Relationship-Building, and Sexual Awareness--book
- Talkabout Sex and Relationships 1: A Programme to Develop Intimate Relationship Skills--book
- Talkabout Sex and Relationships 2: A Sex Education Programme--book
- Taking Care of Myself2: for Teenagers & Adults with ASD: a book about personal health, grooming, relationships, & sex
- Things Ellie Likes: A book about sexuality and masturbation for girls and young women with autism and related conditions--book
- Things Tom Likes: A book about sexuality and masturbation for boys and young men with autism and related conditions--book
Addressing Risks of Victimization and Responding to Victimization
- Child Sexual Abuse Curriculum for the Developmentally Disabled--book
- Just Say Know! Understanding and Reducing the Risk of Sexual Victimization of People with Developmental Disabilities--book
- Psychological First Aid for People with Intellectual Disabilities Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse: A Step-by-Step Programme-book
- Sexual Abuse of Children with Autism: Factors that Increase Risk and Interfere with Recognition of Abuse--article
- Supporting Sexual Assault Survivors with Disabilities. In Support for Survivors Training Manual. Sacramento: California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.--chapter
- Unmasking Sexual Con Games, 3rd Edition: Helping Teens Avoid Emotional Grooming and Dating Violence--book
- West Virginia S.A.F.E. Training and Collaboration Toolkit—Serving Sexual Violence Victims with Disabilities--manual
Responding to Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders:
- Assessment and Treatment of Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities Who Exhibit Sexual Problems or Offending Behaviors: a resource for those working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities who are at risk of, or are, exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors and/or sexual offending behaviors
- The Autism Spectrum, Sexuality and the Law: What every parent and professional needs to know--book
- Avoiding and responding to sexualised behaviours of concern in young people with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder: A guide for disability service providers
- Blasingame: An Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sexual Behaviors, & Therapeutic Interventions-- book, webinar
- Sexual Abuse and Offending in Autism Spectrum Disorders--article
- Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders--short book chapter on "Responding to 'Inappropriate' Behaviours in the Area of Sexuality and Relationships"
- Working with People with Challenging Behavior--book chapter on "Challenging Sexual Behavior"
- Understanding and Treating the Sexually Acting Out Child
- Unmasking Sexual Con Games, 3rd Edition: Helping Teens Avoid Emotional Grooming and Dating Violence--book
- Consent to Sexual Activity. In A Guide to Consent--chapter
- Cognitive Capacity and the Law: The Important Link Concerning Disability Rights--article
- Sexuality and People with Mental Disabilities: The Issues, The Law, and The Guardian--article
http://autpress.com/: Autonomous Press is an independent publisher focusing on works about neurodivergence, queerness, and the various ways they can intersect with each other and with other aspects of identity and lived experience. We are a partnership of neurodivergent workers including writers, poets, artists, musicians, community scholars, and professors. Each partner takes on a share of the work of managing the press and production, and all of our workers are co-owners.