Guiding Your Child with Autism Through Puberty

• By: May Ng, MBBS, MSc, LLM, PhD Consultant Paediatrician, United Kingdom
• April 1st, 2020
• adolescents, masturbation, parenting, puberty, sex education, sexuality, Spring 2020 Issue
• 4517    1

The early changes of puberty usually occur between the ages of 9 to 13 years (Odel, 1989). They are noticeable in girls by the budding of breasts and then pubic hair, with menstrual periods starting between 11 to 14 years of age. Boys usually develop testicular enlargement and then pubic hair...

Sexuality, the “Double Vulnerability,” and Youth with ASDs

• By: Samara P. Tetenbaum, PhD Shana Nichols, PhD ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development
• April 1st, 2011
• adolescents, children, exploitation, inappropriate behaviors, legal system, masturbation, relationships, sexcuality, sexuality education, social deficits
• 5442    3

The social deficits of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) place them at an increased risk of experiencing physical or sexual abuse, neglect or exploitation (Gabriels, 2007). However, these same social impairments can also increase their vulnerability to engaging in inappropriate behavior...