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Question:
I am a behavior specialist (MA Psych in applied behavior change) currently working with a young male teen with autism who is trying to understand his sexuality. Inappropriate behaviors his family is concerned about include approaching females he finds attractive and asking them to sit on his lap. He has learned - generally - to masturbate only in his bedroom, but may do so until he causes injury to the skin.
Other issues include the typical teen issues of wanting his own time and space and oppositionality, magnified by autism. He dislikes having to stop computer or nintendo to go with mom to pick up or drop off his teen sister for activities. This often escalates to increased noncompliance on the teen's behalf, yelling for mom, and frustration for all.
He is also increasingly withdrawn.
It may be important to note that this teen is NOT Asperger's or Kanners - he is autistic. He has a normal IQ, and actually tested in the gifted range with a performance based test done when he was younger. He is keeping up with grade level math, and was an A student until recently, when he just wrote any answer down, eyes averted, to just be done withit. Difficulty with homework and not putting effort into academics is an issue. He has many compulsive and sensory issues. He communicates with only very short (1 - 3 word) phrases, in a staccatto, and only as absolutely needed.
I am looking for:
information/literature re: autism and sexuality (which may not be available)
info/lit for a parent dealing with an autistic teen
information - from yourself or lit - regarding what may or may not be
appropriate expectations for a teen with autism regarding homework,
transitions, opposiotionality, and the like.
Thank you for any information
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Answer:
by Melissa BEE: (05/17/2004)
What you describe is the same as I'm currently going through with my 12 year old, although my son is not yet masturbating, and the hormones are yet to kick in, I have all the behavioural issues. Puberty + Autism is not easy.
You said: "It may be important to note that this teen is NOT Asperger's or Kanners - he is autistic." Both Aspergers Syndrome and Kanners Syndrome (a fancy name for Early Childhood Autism, named because Leo Kanner identified autism) are in fact both autism, and said to be both on the autism spectrum. Quite often now people have the label of ASD "Autism Spectrum Disorder". Many auties have normal or above Intelligence Quotient. My own IQ was 152 when I was a child and when I was last tested it was 136.
You didn't say exactly how old he is, so its hard to know at what level to structure any teaching, nor his level of understanding. What is age-appropriate for a 13 year old, may be too babyish for a 17 year old. Obviously he will take everything literally and he may well find some of these sexual drives overwhelming, and its no easy matter teaching social acceptability and yet meeting a the young mans sexual needs. Perhaps some sort of individual teaching may be appropriate for him, rather than in the classroom situation. It would be terrific if there was a therapist who was able to take a class of disabled and autistic youth and teach them the basics about social interaction and about sex. They could 'role-play' the right and wrong interactions and help each other to learn.
I don't know of any current literature on autism and sexuality, though I plan on doing some writing on that later this year. I'm assuming that he is mainstreamed and that the major goal of the parents is to have him compliant. You addressed a number of issues aside from his sexual education "a teen with autism regarding homework, transitions, opposiotionality, and the like..."
I keep my children on task by the use of flow charts with tasks clearly outlined. I pay them for this. They must have every square filled in at the end of the day to get the dollar for that day. They get $7 at the end of the week plus a dollar bonus. I have had no more problems with getting chores done since I started that at the beginning of the year. Its simple, no work, no pay. I also hold a weekly family meeting where they are are allowed to express anything that's worrying them. This has helped short circuit some rather nasty problems, and helps us address their needs.
If its also possible, try and find an Aspergers or Autism Support group if you can, and get the parents and the teenager to go along. Mixing with his peers may be helpful, and the parents can share tips on strategies, with other parents who have already been or are at that point with their kids. I remember my late teen hood. It was a confusing and very depressing time. So support and guidance can be very helpful.
Best of luck to you... Melissa BEE
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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