title: Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Group home caregivers of 24 institutionalized, male, high-functioning adolescents and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, were interviewed with the Interview Sexuality Autism. Most subjects were reported to express sexual interest and to display some kind of sexual behavior. Knowledge of socio-sexual skills existed, but practical use was moderate. Masturbation was common. Many subjects were seeking physical contact with others. Half of the sample had experienced a relationship, while three were reported to have had sexual intercourse. The number of bisexual orientations appeared high. Ritual-sexual use of objects and sensory fascination with a sexual connotation were sometimes present. A paraphilia was present in two subjects. About one third of the group needed intervention regarding sexual development or behavior.
authors.affiliation: University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Antwerp, ZNA Middelheim, University of Antwerp, Lindendreef 1, B-2020, Antwerp, Belgium. Hans.Hellemans@telenet.be
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hellemans
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Colson
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verbraeken
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vermeiren
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deboutte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012919:Social Behavior