Abstract

DE TILIO, Rafael. Autism Spectrum Disorders and sexuality: a report from caregivers' perspective. Psicol. Conoc. Soc. [online]. 2017, vol.7, n.1, pp.36-58.  Epub May 31, 2017. ISSN 1688-7026.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behavioral syndrome that affects social interaction and communication. The routine and family dynamics is directly affected when an individual receives a diagnosis of ASD. Sometimes family members/caregivers do not recognize their development possibilities (biological and psychological), including their sexuality, which becomes childlike, denied or rejected. The objective of this research was to investigate representations of one caregiver about the sexuality of an individual diagnosed with ASD. Data were obtained through a semistructured interview with one caregiver (the sister) of an adult diagnosed less than a decade. After thematic content analysis of the interview the highlights results are: that there is partial acceptance of the sexuality by the family (respect for private masturbation) while there are many conflicts (shame, fear of public desappropriate sexualized behavior). At last, there is importance more researches into the relations between sexuality, family, ASD and care towards rights and sexual health practices for these individuals.

Keywords : Sexuality; Caregivers; Autism.

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