Observational study shows significant decrease in inappropriate sexual behaviours in autistic adolescents, suggesting culturally sensitive education is essential.
Purpose Sexual Health Education (SHE) is an important issue for adolescents everywhere, including those with autism or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) who live in the Arab world. These young people can become especially vulnerable if their sexual behaviour is inappropriate. Methods The current studies explored the effectiveness of culturally attuned Behavioural Activation to enhance safeguarding five autistic young people, while at the same time, not abrogating safe and appropriate sexual behaviour. The intervention was delivered via telehealth services. Results A significant decrease and eventually cessation of public masturbation (in four participants) and undressing others without their consent (in one participant) was observed. Conclusion Findings are discussed in terms of adaptations to the intervention to suit the Arab culture, individual family preferences, as well as implication for SHE and the use of Behavioural Activation more generally.
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Saleh et al. (2025) studied this question.
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