Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), sexuality and sex and relationships work

“Brilliant, I will be better equipped to respond to referrals.”
Course participant, Nottingham City Asperger Service

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that affects the individual’s ability to understand and use social communication as a means of relating to others effectively. The condition may be accompanied by additional learning difficulties.

Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) tend to experience significant difficulty developing social understanding of themselves and others. This has a profound effect on all areas of the individual’s life – the ability to make sense of the world, to learn, and to establish and maintain social relationships effectively. The delivery of effective and meaningful sex and relationships education (SRE) to individuals with ASD can therefore be particularly problematic.

This two-day course addresses these issues and looks at ways of presenting information for learners with ASD so that they can understand and engage in social activities in safer and more appropriate ways.

Aim

To raise participants’ awareness of issues involved in SRE and autism, and to improve confidence and skills to work more effectively around sexuality with people across the autistic spectrum.

Learning outcomes

• Understand how autism impacts on social awareness and sexual understanding.
• Be aware of roles and responsibilities in partnership with parents and other professionals, in understanding sex and relationships work (SRW).
• Have an awareness of how key legal issues and organisational guidance affect practice.
• Have an awareness of how values and beliefs may affect delivery of SRW.
• Be able to use different practical approaches and resources when delivering SRW with people with autism.

Number of days

Two