Psychosexual differences between adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders and typically developing adolescents: results from the Teen Transition Inventory

Background:  

Information on psychosexual functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is scarce, especially when considering self-reported information. Moreover, the assessment of psychosexual functioning is complex, since psychosexual functioning is a multi-facet concept, not only covering sexual behaviours, but also knowledge, insight, skills, desires, and cognitions. 

Objectives:  

This study explored differences in psychosexual functioning in adolescents with ASD and typically developing (TD) adolescents using parent and self-reported information.

Methods:  

At the start of our project a comprehensive parent- & self-report assessment tool on psychosexual functioning was lacking. Therefore, a new inventory was developed, the Teen Transition Inventory (TTI). Using the TTI, we compared psychosexual functioning between adolescents with an ADI-R diagnosis of ASD (n=78) and their TD peers from the general population (n=131).

Results:  

The TTI was found to be a reliable measure in assessing parent- and self-reported psychosexual functioning in adolescents with ASD and TD adolescents. Adolescents with ASD as well as their parents reported significantly less sexual knowledge, less social relational skills, less intimate experiences, more inappropriate behaviours, and a more negative self-concept than TD adolescents. No significant differences were found regarding physical development and the desire for intimacy. 

Conclusions:  

Since adolescents with ASD seem to have less sexual knowledge and experiences, more problematic or risky intimate behaviours and a more negative self-concept than their TD peers, future research should focus on how to promote more optimal psychosexual functioning in adolescents with ASD.