Autism and Sexuality: Overcoming Barriers and Supporting Healthy Expression

Recorded February 25, 2024

This presentation focuses on the unique challenges individuals with autism face regarding sexuality. It sheds light on how autism-related differences in sensory processing and social communication can impact sexual development and expression. We will discuss barriers to healthy sexual expression and provide practical strategies for educators, healthcare professionals, and caregivers. The session emphasizes the need for tailored sexual education and supportive environments to respect and fulfill the sexual rights of those on the autism spectrum.

Presenter Biography

Dr Shaniff Esmail is a distinguished professor and Occupational Therapist, currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta. He is a best-selling author and renowned expert in sexuality and disability. As an accomplished educator, Dr Esmail teaches various courses within the faculties of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta. He is also a pioneer in the field, having developed the first Canadian post-graduate certificate in sexual health at the University of Alberta. Dr Esmail’s areas of expertise include sexuality and disability, sexual health education for individuals with disabilities, and technology to enhance teaching and learning.

Elizabeth MacNeil is an autistic student in her second year of the Master of Science in occupational therapy program at the University of Alberta. Elizabeth has a range of personal lived experiences of her autism’s impact on sensory processing, social relationships, and abilities to make connections. She is aware of how these differences can impact sexuality as well as access to sexual education. Elizabeth has a keen interest in supporting autistic youth in all areas, including healthy sexual expression and will have this as an essential element of her occupational therapy practice. Elizabeth has experienced firsthand the social barriers being autistic creates and how those vastly impacted her ability to gain knowledge about topics in sexuality and sexual development in a similar way (and time) as neurotypical peers. Due to this, Elizabeth understands the unique need to educate and empower autistic people about sexuality so that they can be enabled to have equal opportunities and be able to make informed, empowered decisions. Further, Elizabeth is interested in how sensory processing differences in autistic people influence sexual needs and how these needs can be understood so that autistic people can be supported respectfully to actualize their autonomy in appropriate ways.

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