Contents:
- Medical Video: Autism 209: Relationships, Puberty and Sexual Health (2013)
- The importance of sex education for children with autism
- Various challenges surrounding sexuality faced by people with autism
- Tips for providing sex education for children with autism
Medical Video: Autism 209: Relationships, Puberty and Sexual Health (2013)
As is well known, children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders have different stages of development than children in general. However, children with autism can also live like ordinary people. Later they will be able to work, establish relationships with other people, and have families.
The importance of sex education for children with autism
It is important for parents of children with autism to prepare their sons and daughters in every aspect of life, including the child's sexual life. The reason is, children with autism have different challenges. Unlike teens of their age, they may not know much about sex from their social environment. Therefore, if you are not provided with sex education from parents, children may not know anything about sexuality. This makes it more vulnerable to use or other undesirable things.
In addition, children with autism sometimes have difficulty expressing their thoughts, including about sexuality. So the child may have certain problems, for example, confused about why he has a wet dream. However, because it cannot express it, it can be frustrating on its own. That is why parents who must take an active role in providing sex education are easily understood by a child or teenager in the autism spectrum.
Various challenges surrounding sexuality faced by people with autism
Like other humans, people with autism also have sexual desire. Their libido functions normally. When they are puberty, they will be encouraged to engage in various sexual activities. For example, like being attracted to other people's curves, the desire to touch other parts of the body, to masturbate to fulfill their sexual desires.
Sexual desire in humans is normal. Sensitivity and feeling for sex are owned by everyone, including people with autism. However, there are various ways to express this desire. Sure, people with autism have different ways of expressing their desires.
However, people with autism in some cases are not able to distinguish between good and bad. They need to be taught well to be able to distinguish between what is permissible and not to do.
For example, they may not understand that holding a woman's chest, especially what they have just met, is something that is not appropriate to do. The woman of course will feel annoyed. The problem is that understanding other people's emotions cannot be easily digested by children with autism.
If not taught properly, they also do not have a good understanding of the right time and place to do something. For example, a child suddenly touches his intimate area in a public place when sexual desire arises. Children will find it difficult to understand whether doing so is in accordance with social norms in that place or not.
Tips for providing sex education for children with autism
For parents of children with autism, you need extra effort to teach them the concept of sexuality. Childhood is a suitable time to teach various things and provide warning signs in their lives. So, you can start sex education as early as possible.
First, explain to him that sexual activity is something valuable and extraordinary. So, this activity is different from other activities such as eating and sleeping. Therefore, sexual activity should only be done with one's own partner when they are only alone.
Then, make your child understand that not everyone wants to engage in sexual activity. There is an agreement or in English called "informed consent". To engage in sexual activities, requires approval from both parties. For example, if someone says no, then the activity do not do. In addition, if the person who has said no is still invited to engage in sexual activity by your child, that person will certainly react, such as shouting, moving away, and slapping.
In addition, your child is also taught about the appropriate time and place for sexual activity. When you find your child suddenly masturbating in front of other people, immediately stop the behavior. Not only focus on the action, but make it understand that doing that in front of other people is not worth doing.
Navigate to a closed place, such as a bedroom or bathroom. If your child does the same thing next time, do this all the time. Children with autism will learn from something that is routinely done.
