Стратегії статевого виховання підлітків та юнаків з розладами аутистичного спектра

Abstract

This article is devoted to the problem of socio-sexual functioning of adolescents and youth with ASD. The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, the prevalence of which is growing in Ukraine, is actual not only in childhood. Core symptoms of the disorder are displayed in puberty, affecting all the spheres of life of adolescents and youth with ASD, complicating the process of psychosexual development, socialization and interpersonal interaction. The article highlights sexual behavior key attributes of adolescents and youth with ASD. The essential characteristics of ASD and the specifics of adolescence are analyzed as factors that provoke manifestation of inappropriate sexual behavior. It is emphasized on the significant role of adequate sexual education, which is aimed to provide the proper sexual functioning of individuals with ASD, in particular, and improving the quality of their lives in general. The implementation of information repeating principle, visual support, the distinction between “public” and “private” social contexts, the provision of adequate information on the sexual system physiology, the types of relationships between people, acceptable and unacceptable sexual behavior, as well as the discussion of intimate security issues – are considered as components of effective sexual education strategy for adolescents and youth with ASD. Special attention is given to sexual education strategy in the domain of differentiation between “public” and “private” social context, acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and also in prevention of victimization among adolescents and youth with ASD. The necessity of integrative approach is emphasized: it is important to pay attention to issues of sexual education both during psychological and pedagogical preventive and corrective activities with adolescents and youth with ASD, and within the system of family education.