Autistic children become autistic adults, yet academic research has yet to uncover many intersectional autistic adult experiences adequately. One aspect of these experiences is sexual debut, pregnancy, and parenthood. This episode includes some research about sexual abuse of autistic children and adults, so please be warned and listen only when you are in a safe mindset to hear it. I will explore academic research on sexual health and education in schools for autistic youths, autistic adults' experiences of pregnancy and postnatal care, and parenthood. Possible supports that could benefit autistic individuals in all these areas will conclude the episode.
Full episode transcripts are available on the podcast website.
No AI was used in the production of this podcast.
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Music: Hatamitsunami, "Imma Tell'em" [Epidemic Sound]
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Show Notes: (full list on website)
(Ireland) 24-hour rape crisis helpline: www.drcc.ie/services/helpline / 1800 77 8888
(US) Rape, abuse and incest national network: www.rainn.org
(US) National domestic violence hotline: www.thehotline.org
Google help and support for gender-based violence (international): https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/11180375
Autism.org (2024a) Sexual Victimization in Autism: Autism Research Institute. Available at: https://autism.org/sexual victimization-in autism/#:~:text=An%20online%20survey%20found%20that,e %20al.%2C%202022). (Accessed: 21.02.2024).
Autism.org (2024b) Meltdown and Calming Techniques in Autism: Autism.org. Available at: https://autism.org/meltdowns-calming-techniques-in-autism/ (Accessed: 25.02.2024).
Barnett, J. P. and Maticka-Tyndale, E. (2015) 'Qualitative Exploration of Sexual Experiences Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Implications for Sex Education', Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 47(4), pp. 171-179.
Bumiller, K. (2008) 'Quirky Citizens: Autism, Gender, and Reimagining Disability', Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 33(4), pp. 967-991.
Camilleri Zahra, A. (2023) 'Accessibility for parents with disability: is it reality or fantasy?', Disability & society, 38(5), pp. 887-892.
Crehan, E. T., Schwartz, A. E. and Schmidt, E. K. (2023) 'Who is Delivering Sexual Health Education Content to Young Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disability?: A Survey of US Based School-Based Professionals and Parents', Sexuality and disability, 41(2), pp. 189-200.
Day, H. (2023) Christine McGuinness: I was sexually abused, like so many autistic women: BBC News UK. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64953941 (Accessed: 21.02.2024).
Fletcher-Randle, J. E. (2022) 'Where are all the Autistic Parents? A Thematic Analysis of Autistic Parenting Discourse within the Narrative of Parenting and Autism in Online Media', Studies in social justice, 16(2), pp. 389-406.
Grant, A. et al. (2022) Autistic women’s views and experiences of infant feeding: A systematic review of qualitative evidence. London, England: SAGE Publications.
Grant, A. (2022) 'Breaking barriers', RCM midwives, 25, pp. 36-38.
Hampton, S. et al. (2022) 'Autistic mothers’ perinatal well-being and parenting styles', Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 26(7), pp. 1805-1820.
Hampton, S. et al. (2023) 'Autistic People’s Perinatal Experiences II: A Survey of Childbirth and Postnatal Experiences', Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 53(7), pp. 2749-2763.
Holmes, L. G. et al. (2023) 'Sexual and reproductive health services for autistic young people in the United States: A conceptual model of utilization', Perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 55(1), pp. 49-61.