Research suggests that individuals with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and learning disabilities (LD) experience difficulties in developing meaningful intimate relationships, and mainstream sex education is not adapted to meet their needs. However, ASD and LD frequently co-occur (ASD-LD), and findings suggest this population have unique needs, compared to those with ASD and LD. There is a paucity of research on how sex education should be adapted for individuals with ASD-LD. This study aimed to explore the views of 21 health and social care professionals, experienced in delivering sex education for adults with ASD-LD, on which characteristics of adults with ASD-LD should be considered when providing sex education, and what adaptations to sex education are thus required. To seek whether a group consensus between professionals could be gained, an electronic, three round, Delphi method was used. Findings showed that professionals agreed on the unique characteristics of adults with ASD-LD, and the various adaptations to sex education required, which differed for adults with ASD and LD. The most important characteristics and adaptations primarily related to; communication needs, cognitive and executive functions, social impairments, and sensory needs. The clinical and research implications of the findings are presented.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:720875 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Asagba, Kelly C. |
| Publisher | Canterbury Christ Church University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/16207/ |
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