Here’s a dandy article that tackles talking to kids with Autism about sex. Here’s an exerpt and the link!
Lots of regular puberty books use contemporary language – ‘teen talk’, if you like – and while this can be fun and amusing, it isn’t always to everybody’s taste, so I decided that it was more important to treat the subject with respect, and use a straightforward, factual tone (hopefully not too deadly serious, however!).
I took into consideration that most people with ASD enjoy facts and appreciate being able to apply logic, so I have always explained ‘why’ as well as ‘what’. An example of this is when I discuss hygiene (an issue for a lot of adolescents, whether or not they have ASD!). I explain EXACTLY what causes body odour, which bits of the body are affected most specifically, the reasons why it is important to wash regularly (health as well as social reasons), and exactly HOW to wash.
I don’t assume knowledge or make generalisations that can be misinterpreted. Because of the love of knowledge that most people with ASD have, I have provided plenty of facts. For example, the usual rule in sexuality education is to avoid giving young people any sort of hang-ups by giving facts and figures regarding penis size; it’s standard practice to say something like ‘Whatever size your penis is, is exactly right for you.’
This isn’t clear enough or reassuring enough for young people on the autism spectrum, however. So I have given specific measurements of both flaccid and erect penises (of fully grown men), and plenty of other reassuring facts about penises, so that there is no room for confusion or doubt.
http://aroundtheautismspectrum.blogspot.com/2009/01/sex-education-for-kids-and-teens-with.html
