Puberty is challenging for any teenager. Talking about sex can be difficult for any parent. But for families with autistic adolescents, the topic can be particularly challenging.
Many autistic adolescents may develop at a different pace compared to their typically developing peers. They may need more help understanding the basics of consent and figuring out how to set appropriate boundaries. Those who are beginning to explore romantic relationships may need more explicit instruction on the social norms that go along with dating.
We've collected a number of articles that cover this topic and offer strategies for managing sex education in autistic teens:
- Planet Puberty
- Sex Education and Autism
- Sexuality, gender diversity and autism
- Sexuality and Sexual Development: autistic teenagers
- Living Between Genders
- Sex and Other Foreign Words
Books:
- The Australian Autism Handbook
- Out -A Parent's Guide to Supporting Your LGBTQIA+ Kid Through Coming Out and Beyond
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