Sexuality & Asperger Syndrome

Transcription

1 Sexuality & Asperger Syndrome Practical solutions for teaching adolescents with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome, with a review of current literature & resources. Sandy Teal & Angela Ward-Brown The Wing Centre

2 Our aims To provide an overview of what should be included in a Sexuality Education programme for adolescents with a diagnosis of AS Practical solutions to the problems of teaching, learning and understanding often abstract concepts A review of currently available literature & resources

3 What is sexuality? Sexuality is not just about sex it is about all of who we are, how and what we think, how we relate, our hopes & dreams - it is about being human. (Lawson 2005)

4 Where do we learn about our sexuality? Family members Media School/Community Peers Experiences Internet Cultural/religious influences

5 Ann Craft s suggestions of human rights when talking about sexuality Right to be treated with respect & dignity Right to have access to information Right to be sexual Right not to be judged by other individuals attitudes Right not to be sexually abused Right to humane and dignified environments

6 Guiding principles Design a programme with information that is; Lawful Sensitive, honest and direct Respectful of individual needs Acknowledging prior learning Responsive and flexible Appreciate differences in perception and ability to generalise concepts Appropriate teaching environment

7 How to best relay the information MOVIE

8 Method Information is most effectively delivered when it is; Factual (using factual terms) Concrete to the abstract concepts Delivered by informed people Visual Individual or in small groups

9 Content Establish Ground Rules Explore attitudes Public & private Direct teaching of socio-sexual skills, i.e. Appropriate touch Personal space Self esteem Emotional literacy

10 Methods of learning Ways of sharing information VISUAL EXPERIENTIAL Videos/DVD's and written materials Social situation analysis Websites Roleplay Chat rooms Hot Seating/Freeze Framing Resources by others with ASD diagnosis Plenary and facillitated discussion Visual conversations/timelines Real life situations Visual Problem solving Social Stories

11 It is never too early to start teaching; Public & private behaviours Modesty Correct use of terms Appropriate touch Personal space

12 What is the most important information for adolescents to know about sexuality?

13 Friendships/Relationships Different relationships - different behaviours Stages & difficulties Beginning & ending Differing expectations Alternatives in and to relationships Who? When? Why? Where?

14 Communication skills»negotiation»assertion Differing sexualities»heterosexual»homosexual/bisexual»asexual

15 Self protection/personal safety Abuse/vulnerability Different kinds of touch Sexual expression Consent» Decision making» Consequences» Problem solving Differing expectations

16 Not remembering the three P s ; Private Public Personal Space

17 »Self injurious behaviour»safer sex & sexual health Examinations Health Professionals & agencies»conception/contraception»personal hygiene

18 Inappropriate or unacceptable sexual behaviour Enriching the social and physical environment Increasing sexual and social competence Individual programmes Sexual behaviour inappropriate partners Unsafe or illegal practices

19 Consider the topic, not just SEX OR SEXUALITY but SEXUAL REALITY When we begin to acknowledge that our young people deserve to understand this part of themselves, the better quality of teaching and of life we can offer them

20 Review of current resources and literature Sexuality: Teaching and learning

21 Books Asperger's Syndrome - Tony Attwood An Asperger Marriage - Gisela & Christopher Slater- Walkford AS and Sexuality: From Adolescence through Adulthood - Isabelle Henault Freaks, Geeks and AS - Luke Jackson Sex, Sexuality and the Autistic Spectrum - Wendy Lawson The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Integration Dysfunction - WHO

22 Audio visual resources Jason & Kylie s Private World Billy Ballgreedy Channel 4 - A to Z of Sex BBC - The Human Body Romantic scenes from movies Life Horizons

23 Agency resources Ofsted - guidelines & recommendations Teachernet.gov.uk National Children s Bureau Brook Advisory Service Family Planning Association British Institute of Learning Disabilities National Autistic Society

24 Benefits and considerations when using information technology Immediate/non facilitated/private Chat rooms Instinctive interface / familiar Mobile phones Advertising

25 Tips for using online resources Check resource thoroughly for ambiguous terms Talk through each section slowly using single PC/interactive whiteboard, where possible, leaving plenty of discussion time

26 Websites

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33 Miscellaneous Podcasts Blogs Games (Contraception Board Game) Slang dictionary!

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