Parents' and SPED teachers' perceptions on sexuality of children with autism: Basis for a sex education program

• Main Author: Lai, Meng-Tez (Ciny)
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2005
• Subjects: Special education teachers; Parents of autistic children; Sex; Perception; Sex instruction; Special Education and Teaching
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/5866; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_masteral/article/12716/viewcontent/CDTG003860_F_Partial.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study is done to probe the perceptions of parents and Sped teachers on the sexuality of children with autism. The study is descriptive and uses a 49 item questionnaire based on the suggested sex education content of Polloway et al. (1977) among these are (1) awareness of self; (2) understanding maturity and puberty; 3) interpersonal relationships; and 4) sexual responsibilities and relationships. Thirty-five (35) parent respondents and thirty-five (35) teacher respondents have been carefully chosen from two private and five public schools in Metro Manila to answer the 49 item-questionnaire. Pearson r is used as statistical measure. Findings revealed that most parent respondents are well-educated and are Roman Catholics. In terms of age, both respondents are middle-aged. Financial differences between the parent respondents and teacher respondents are very evident. The results of the study showed that parent respondents and teacher respondents perceived that their children with autism are aware of their sexuality to a minimum extent. Both respondents perceived that children with autism are not asexual and therefore have to be taught the issues concerning their sexuality. This study further revealed that the perceptions of parents and Sped teachers have no significant difference. The perceptions of the parents and teachers that children with autism have only a minimal knowledge of their sexuality leads this study to produce a proposed basic sex education program. It included eight (8) items based on the perceptions of parents and teachers on the sexuality of the children with autism revolving around the areas of awareness of self, understanding maturity and puberty, interpersonal relationships, and sexual relationships. This program has its objectives, suggested activities, persons involved, resources needed, time frame, and success indicators.