Abstract

Puberty is a time of huge change in the physical body, in emotional experience and in social relationships. Having an understanding of these developments and learning how to deal with them is essential, and for people with Asperger's syndrome it can be a challenge to get to grips with the social and emotional aspects of puberty, sex and relationships.

This book is ideal for those who need clear, detailed explanations and direct answers to the many questions raised by puberty and sexual maturity. Sarah Attwood describes developments in both the male and female body, and explains how to maintain hygiene and personal care, and to promote general good health. She examines emotional changes, including moods and sexual feelings, and provides comprehensive information on sex, sexual health and reproduction. She looks at the nature of friendship, how it changes from childhood to adulthood and its importance as a basis for sexual encounter. She also offers coping strategies for different social experiences, from bullying to dating, and includes essential tips on the politics of mature behaviour, such as knowing the difference between public and personal topics of conversation.

Making Sense of Sex is a thorough guide written in unambiguous language with helpful diagrams, explanations and practical advice for young people approaching puberty and beyond.

For any parent or professional working with children on the autism spectrum, there are ideas within this book that can be adapted to answer questions or challenging situations that often occur without warning. Making Sense of Sex is presented in such a way that makes it easy for the practitioner to source coping strategies for every situation from learning about yourself and how to make healthy choices to understanding emotions and how to development friendships.
GAP Good Autism Guide
This guide, with its clear, practical writing; diagrams; and table of sexual terms in their common, scientific, slang, and euphemistic forms, would be a huge help to any teen with AS as well as to his/her loved ones and caretakers. It can be read alone, but it can also - and ideally - inspire discussion between those with AS and the adults in their life. Strongly recommended for academic and public libraries with autism collections... The author, whose husband, Tony Attwood, wrote The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome, is uniquely suited to pen this work - she grew up with a sister who has Asperger's syndrome (AS) and was a sexuality educator in Australia for 15 years. Here, she wisely discusses sexuality within a wider swath of social issues, from conversational skills and friendship to bullying, healthy lifestyle, personal hygiene, dating, sexual practices and health, birth control, and pregnancy. Attwood has a clear handle on the AS mentality: e.g., in discussing personal hygiene (often not a priority among teens with AS), she not only explains the how but she also goes into the whys of its importance.
Library Journal
Sarah's book brings something new to the arena of sexual educational literature. The language she uses is frank and informal and seems perectly natural. She never lingers on a point for too long therefore making it seem awkward yet she covers just about every question a pre-teen/teenager may have.
Asperger Newsletter East Anglia
Sarah's book is an essential resource for all families who have an adolescent with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, such as Asperger's syndrome. The information is detailed and accurate, and addresses just about all the issues relating to the important subject of sexuality, which is all too often distorted and presented in a biased way. Sarah's approach is to explain the facts neutrally and realistically, while acknowledging individual values and respecting personal choice. I will certainly be recommending this book to all my clients.
Isabelle Hénault PhD. Author of Asperger Syndrome and Sexuality: from Adolescence through Adulthood

Sarah Attwood worked for fifteen years as a sexuality educator in Australia, where she designed a wide range of sexual health programmes. Her particular areas of expertise include the education of parents and of school children aged 9 to 17 years. She grew up with a sister who has Asperger's syndrome and who has been an inspiration to her.

Jonathon Powell completed a Diploma of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Animation at Griffith University, Queensland. He has illustrated material for Family Planning Queensland, including several brochures, an education manual, Talking About It, and a CD-Rom package, Puberty Plus. Most recently, he has illustrated a number of independent publications.

Sarah Attwood has a background as a sexuality educator and has a sister with Asperger's Syndrome, so she clearly has the right credentials to write this much needed book. It was incredibly easy to read and free from any sense of awkwardness that a book on sex can have... I thoroughly recommend it and feel that children and teenagers will get different things from the book depending on their own individual level of development and personal situation. They can easily revisit the sections that are relevant to their own lives. Sarah Attwood has admirably filled a niche in the market.
Asteens.co.uk
Making Sense of Sex is a clear, explicit and informative book that would be of use to young people, parents, teachers, and psychologists; in fact for anyone whose role requires them to deal with the subject of sexuality. Although it is written for teenagers and young adults with Asperger's Syndrome, it would meet the needs of all. It is written in clear, direct and easy to understand language... Making Sense of Sex is the most useful and informative book relating to the area of sexual development that I have come across and it will certainly meet the needs of teenagers and young adults... This book is easy to read and equips the reader with a fund of information. It generates a positive value-based perspective, which instils confidence to deal with sexuality on a personal level and provides the necessary tools to those who are required to support young people who are undergoing the process of sexual development.
Debate