| One of the most perverse problems in an | | | | in general. It may be helpful to label zones |
| autistic individual's life is the threat of | | | | on the body where no one should touch without |
| sexual abuse. This can come in the form of | | | | permission. |
| rape or simply be in an abusive relationship. | | | | |
| Because autistic people spend much of their | | | | Also make sure that as your autistic child |
| lives feeling different and left out, they | | | | grows into an adult, he or she understands |
| often enjoy sexual experiences for one | | | | what rape is and what to do if this happens. |
| reason: it puts them on a playing field equal | | | | As many autistic children are hands-on |
| to others. It is very easy for this to become | | | | learners, it may be best to role-play some |
| a controlling part of a relationship. | | | | potentially dangerous situations. If your |
| | | | child communicates non-verbally, teach him or |
| The most important thing to remember is that | | | | her clear signs to show a person to stop what |
| autistic people experience sexuality in much | | | | they are doing. |
| of the same way that others do, no matter how | | | | |
| highly functioning they may be. Parents | | | | Autistic people can often not understand that |
| should teach their child about sexuality from | | | | others have their own thoughts and emotions |
| an early age in order to prevent sexual abuse | | | | they believe that everyone thinks and feels |
| from happening. | | | | what they do. Because of this, many are |
| | | | shocked to find that bad people in the world |
| The most valuable command that anyone can | | | | will take advantage of sexual situations. You |
| learn in relationship to sexuality is | | | | may need to explain to an autistic individual |
| No.Teaching this to even children can be very | | | | what kinds of dress and conduct are |
| useful. In this respect, treat your autistic | | | | appropriate in public so that he or she is |
| child as no different than you would another | | | | not unknowingly attracting sexual attention. |
| child teach him or her the parts of the body | | | | |
| from a young age and be very clear, as the | | | | You child should learn to respect his or her |
| child matures, about what happens during | | | | body and understand that others need to |
| puberty and what kinds of behaviors are | | | | respect it as well. This is only possible if |
| appropriate and inappropriate. | | | | parents and educators teach autistic children |
| | | | about their bodies from a young age. By |
| Be sure that your child understands the | | | | learning how to stop sexual abuse, you can |
| differences between good touches and bad | | | | keep you children, autistic or not, safe from |
| touches. This can be extremely difficult for | | | | predators. |
| autistic children who are sensitive to touch | | | | |