ERIC Number: EJ1353046
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Nov
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-4512
EISSN: EISSN-1538-4810
Available Date: N/A
Sexuality Education for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Canada
Davies, Adam W. J.; Balter, Alice-Simone; van Rhijn, Tricia; Spracklin, Jennifer; Maich, Kimberly; Soud, Rsha
Intervention in School and Clinic, v58 n2 p129-134 Nov 2022
With no standardized approach to sexuality education among Canada's 13 provinces and territories and the various curricula focusing on neurotypical and non-disabled children, educators have insufficient instruction and lack appropriate training on how to address sexuality education for children and youth with disabilities, particularly children and youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This article provides the current context of sexuality education for children and youth with ASD in Canadian schools and guidance for more inclusive approaches with attention to three important areas: puberty, relationships, and gender and sexual diversity. Recommendations are offered to support more inclusive approaches to sexuality education, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient for children and youth with ASD. The recommendations focus on three goals: (a) moving beyond simple knowledge-based approaches to include skill-building; (b) including parents, autistic voices, and advocates in planning and ongoing conversations; and (c) providing supports for educators.
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Sex Education, Sexuality, Puberty, Inclusion, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Foreign Countries, Students with Disabilities, Gender Differences, Interpersonal Relationship, Skill Development, Parent Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Guidance, Special Education
SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A