ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 12 > Iss. 1 (2024)
Credentials Display
Taylor Urban, OTD, OTR/L
Reeti R. Douglas, OTD, OTR/L
Abstract
Teens and young adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not have equal access to sexual education, thus having lower sexual awareness, little knowledge of preventative sexual health care, and having a more difficult time reading sexual body language (Hannah & Stagg, 2016; Holmes et al., 2019; Mogavero & Hsu, 2020). Deficits in these and many other skills may make it more challenging for teens and young adults living with ASD to engage in an intimate or sexual relationship with a consenting partner. Skilled intervention on the occupation of sexual activity and its related dimensions, such as communication and sensory input, is well within an occupational therapist's scope of practice, yet there is little to no evidence supporting the role of occupational therapists serving clients living with ASD to address such topics. This manuscript will highlight the lack of sexual education supports for teens and young adults living with ASD and how occupational therapists can fill this important role as a trusted sexuality educator.
Recommended Citation
Urban, T. M., & Douglas, R. R. (2024). Occupational Therapists' Role in Sexual Education for Teens and Young Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 12(1), 1-4. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2093
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.