Strategies for Delivering Sexual Health Education to Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurobiological condition leading to cognitive and social deficits within individuals on the spectrum. Adolescence is a time of intense physical and psychosocial changes that prove difficult for youth with ASDs. As families work through this transition they try to navigate teaching sexual health to their adolescent with an ASD. Teaching should be done to promote health, healthy relationships, and to prevent victimization. Yet, parents report that they lack the knowledge and support to complete this task. The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize research on strategies for teaching sexual health education to adolescents with ASD. Parents are integral to this process so parental support is also reviewed. Articles were obtained from databases—CINAHL and ProQuest using the keywords: autis*, sex* education, sexual ethics, sexuality, sexual abuse, teaching methods, and technology. Studies included in the literature review were written in English, published within the last 10 years, and dealt with adolescents diagnosed with an ASD. After examining the literature, the following themes emerged: social stories as a teaching method, use of technology, support for parents, and implications for nursing. The research suggests that social stories combined with technology may be one of the most effective methods for teaching sexual health education to adolescents with ASDs. Also, healthcare providers need further education and time with families of individuals diagnosed with ASD to discuss pertinent socio-emotional and physiological aspects of sexual health. However, further research is needed on this topic.