Efficacy of romantic and sexual psycho-educational training for adolescent with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction

Romantic and sexual functioning in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are understudied. Recent findings evidenced that adolescents and adults with present romantic and sexual behaviors comparable with their neurotypical peers. However, it is worth to note that dysfunctional and inappropriate romantic and sexual behaviors are often described in this population.

Objectives

To investigate efficacy of a psycho-educational training in a small group of adolescent with high-functioning ASD (HFA, QI > 70).

Methods

Six adolescents (all males, range age 14–16 years) have been evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) a 10-session sexual and romantic psycho-educational structured group training, of 90′ each session. Clinical evaluation included parent-report questionnaires, as SBS for sexual behaviors and CBCL for behavioral problems, and a self-report questionnaire for sexual behaviors, called SESAMO. Moreover, autistic symptoms were investigated with ADOS-2 at T0.

Results

Preliminary analysis revealed a statistically significant differences between T0 and T1 in sexual education (P = 0.02) and frequency of dysfunctional sexual behaviors (P = 0.02) of SBS and in sexual expectations about the partner in SESAMO (P = 0.04). No differences were found in CBCL.

Conclusion

Preliminary results showed an improvement of romantic and sexual functioning in adolescent boys with HFA, as reported by either parents and adolescents, after participating to a structured psycho-educational training. More sexual education and information, less inappropriate sexual behaviors and more-appropriate expectations about potential partner were reported at the end of the training. These results should be confirmed in studies including larger ASD and control sample.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.