Note added 4/9/10: For more on the topic of Asperger's and Sex, see all my blog posts on my new blog Thrive on the Autism Spectrum.
Guess what’s the most popular search term for this blog? OK, I kind of gave it away in the title of this post, but not surprisingly, more people come to this blog through the keywords “Asperger’s” and “sex” than anything else. In October 2008, I posted an interview with Isadora Alman, a Board certified sexologist and a California licensed psychotherapist and counselor. Are you surprised that it was my most popular post? Clearly, people want information on Asperger’s, autism and sexuality.
As a licensed therapist and professional coach, I want to direct people to helpful, reputable information. We all know that the internet is filled with misinformation and websites of dubious reputation. So where can individuals on the autustic spectrum get good information? As Isadora Alman said in my earlier post, “The Internet is full of misinformation, it's true. Anyone can post anything. Unfortunately, there also exist people with degrees who may act unethically or have their own agendas, but usually membership in an accredited institution such as the American Medical Association or the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists is a fairly reliable endorsement. The very best endorsement is a referral from someone you know and trust who has used that person's services before. Ask around. Ask other professionals you trust to recommend someone. Sometimes the same name comes up as a resource from several sources. That's a good indication that this person is respected in his or her field.”
I also recommend turning to respected books for information. On my other blog, Social Skills for Kids, Sarah Attwood discusses her book Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger’s Syndrome. (Jessica Kingsley, 2008) This book is aimed at adolescents, but it’s incredibly detailed and complete, and can be useful for any adult who missed out on learning all the facts, things like contraception and sexual language, as well as issues around relationships.
In The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome, (Jessica Kingsley, 2007) Tony Attwood specifically addresses several areas regarding sexuality, such as pornography and the impact of tactile sensitivity on sexual relationships. He references M. Aston’s Asperger’s in Love (Jessica Kingsley, 2003) and I. Henault’s Asperger’s Syndrome and Sexuality. (Jessica Kingsley, 2005) (I haven’t read these books yet, so I can’t comment on them.)
In Life and Love: Positive Strategies for Autistic Adults (Autism Asperger Publishing Company, 2006) Zosia Zaks doesn’t focus on sexual education, but she does discuss the more relational aspects, such as dating, internet dating, safety, and appropriate behaviors. More about this book can be found on a previous post on this blog.
I’ll be posting more about Asperger’s, autism, sex and relationships on this blog, so check in frequently, or sign up for my blog feed.
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