Abstract

Children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) require specialized teaching strategies when learning about puberty, sexuality and relationships. This professional resource offers practical teaching advice geared towards the needs of young people on the autism spectrum.

Beginning with information on good practice, policy, teaching methods and recent research, the book then divides into key sex education topics that assist professionals in developing their own individualized and developmentally appropriate curricula. Covering issues of gender, public and private, puberty, hygiene, emotions, sex and more, each topic provides an overview of the difficulties that children with autism might experience, discussion and activity ideas and photocopiable resources including instructional stories, checklists and illustrations. The final section demonstrates how to respond to ongoing patterns of inappropriate behaviour and put together a behaviour plan.

Aiming to explain and support the child's developing sexuality while also addressing crucial issues of safety, this book is a much-needed teaching manual for all professionals working with children and young adults with autism including educators in mainstream and special education, psychologists, therapists and social workers.

This book is gold. Anyone whose role it is to teach sexuality and relationship education to children and adolescents on the autism spectrum will find the answers to all their questions. Davida Hartman provides not only a convincing rationale for education in all aspects of sexuality, but also a wealth of straightforward and easy-to-apply teaching strategies. She includes references to the most up-to-date research in the area, and inspiring quotes from well-known ASD authors. She is reassuring, inclusive, positive and respectful. With this book on your shelf, you will be well equipped to teach a comprehensive, relevant and fun sexuality and relationship program to this important population of young people.
Sarah Attwood, author of Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome
Hartman demystifies the area of Relationships and Sexuality Education with this clear, comprehensive and respectful 'How To' manual. She maximises the potential for success by meeting every conceivable obstacle head on and providing detailed guidance and strategies that can be adapted to meet the individual person's needs. An excellent resource for teachers of pupils with ASD.
Mary McKenna, Special Class Teacher for children with ASD, Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden, Ireland
Who knew there are so many things to consider when planning for sexuality and relationship instruction? Well, now we know. This book is an A to Z of what needs to be addressed and how to go about it in collaboration with parents. Great contribution to curricula for kids with ASDs!
Rita Honan, PhD, RegPsychAFPsSI, BCBA-D, School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Hartman's very concise and easy-to-access book on sexuality and relationships moves its readers progressively through the issues surrounding Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and associated social concepts. This book is essential reading for professionals and families alike, because it's the first if its kind to include the wider understanding of relationships, as well as sexuality. For so long those of us living with ASC have been marginalised in this regard with so little attention being given to our legitimate needs. Frankly, firmly and with sincere but gentle understanding, Hartman addresses the usual concerns of being a sexual human being (or not as the case may be) with consideration to gender and ASC. I highly recommend this book to all interested parties whose commitment to our best is their uppermost conviction.
Wendy Lawson, psychologist, counsellor, social worker and author of Sex, Sexuality and the Autism Spectrum