Affectivity and Sexuality in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder from the Perspective of Education and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present several different characteristics that predispose them to greater difficulties with intimate emotional and sexual relationships. This qualitative study uncovers the perspective of education and healthcare professionals on the affective and sexual ne...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Torralbas-Ortega J., Valls-Ibáñez V., Roca J., Sastre-Rus M., Campoy-Guerrero C., Sala-Corbinos D., Sánchez-Fernández M.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau)
Repositorio:r-IIB SANT PAU. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau
OAI Identifier:oai:iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com:p15641
Acceso en línea:https://iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=15641
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147875636&doi=10.3390%2fijerph20032497&partnerID=40&md5=00fef8d52a2adc027f9fdbea719d2210
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:adolescent
adolescent behavior
affect
Article
autism
coping behavior
curriculum
descriptive research
developmental stage
family
female
health care personnel
health education
human
information processing
male
personal experience
qualitative research
sexual education
sexuality
social interaction
child
health care delivery
psychology
sexual behavior
Adolescent
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Child
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Partners
Sexuality
Descripción
Sumario:People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present several different characteristics that predispose them to greater difficulties with intimate emotional and sexual relationships. This qualitative study uncovers the perspective of education and healthcare professionals on the affective and sexual needs of young people with ASD by analysing their narratives in semi-structured focus group sessions. Professionals highlight the inadequate training they receive in this aspect of health. They consider it should be commonplace for professionals working with autistic people as it would aid their collaborative efforts when treating children and adolescents with ASD. They show that, by working together with the families to establish joint objectives, these professionals can appropriately address sex and affective education, preventing risky behaviours among young people with ASD, and improving the interactions these individuals have with others. Sex and affective education is described as an indispensable tool at this stage of development and should be specially adapted for those with ASD. © 2023 by the authors.