Short report: Recommendations for education, clinical practice, research, and policy on promoting well-being in autistic youth and adults through a positive focus on sexuality and gender diversity

Dewinter, J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2402-0239, Onaiwu, MG, Massolo, ML, Caplan, R, Van Beneden, E, Brörmann, N, Crehan, ET, Croen, LA ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7849-9428, Faja, S ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6876-3643, Gassner, DL, Graham Holmes, L, Hughes, C, Hunter, M, Huysamen, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5664-998X, Jelonche, P, Lai, MC, Noens, I, Pukki, H, Stokes, MA ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6488-4544, Strang, JF and van der Miesen, AIR (2023) Short report: Recommendations for education, clinical practice, research, and policy on promoting well-being in autistic youth and adults through a positive focus on sexuality and gender diversity. Autism. ISSN 1362-3613

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Abstract

This short report presents recommendations to promote health and well-being relating to sexuality and gender diversity in autistic individuals. The recommendations were developed based on the latest available scientific knowledge coupled with a community-driven approach. An international group of autistic and non-autistic experts in the fields of autism, sexuality, and gender diversity and autistic advocates worked together to develop the initial recommendations; these recommendations were subsequently checked within the wider community through an online survey. Out of the original 11 recommendations, eight were rated above a consensus threshold. The final recommendations cover three themes: (1) providing education and information on sexuality, relationships, and gender diversity to autistic individuals and their families; (2) improving expertise in and accessibility to healthcare for sexuality, relationships, and gender-related questions, with specific attention to prevention of and support after sexual victimization; and (3) meaningful inclusion of the autism community in future research that addresses well-being related to sexuality, relationships, and gender diversity. The recommendations emphasize the need for additional awareness and offer cues to parents, professionals, and policymakers to promote sexual health and well-being of autistic individuals. Lay Abstract: In this article, we propose recommendations on what we can do to promote that autistic people can enjoy their sexuality and gender identity, because that contributes to overall well-being. First, we briefly summarize the existing research on sexuality and gender diversity in autistic individuals. Next, we propose recommendations for how to promote sexual and gender diversity-related health and well-being. Based on what is known about sexuality, gender diversity, and relationships in autistic adolescents and adults, we convened an international group of autistic and non-autistic researchers, advocates, parents, and professionals to develop recommendations to promote sexual and gender health in autistic people. The resulting recommendations were checked through an online survey distributed to autistic people across the world. The online participants endorsed the importance of eight final recommendations related to: 1. Providing education and information on sexuality, relationships, and gender diversity to autistic individuals and their families; 2. Improving expertise in and accessibility to healthcare for sexuality, relationships, and gender-related questions, with specific attention to prevention of and support after sexual victimization; and 3. Meaningfully including the autism community in future research that addresses well-being relating to sexuality, relationships, and gender diversity. These community-driven recommendations aim to promote sexual health and well-being in autistic individuals internationally.