Effectiveness of sexual health training to parents with children of autism spectrum disorder

INTRODUCTION: Sexual health education among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is unique and may not be adequately addressed both at home and at school. Parents have an important role in delivering sexual health education to their children. This is a pilot study to evaluate parental awareness and effectiveness of parent sexual health training for children with ASD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parents of 30 children with ASD with ages ranging from 8 to 12 years attending Child Development Clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang (CDC HPP) were recruited. Parents attended two-hour virtual parent sexual health training and educational materials were provided to be utilised at home. Follow-up via phone consultation were done at three and six months to ensure training was carried out. Both structured interview and Vineland adaptive behaviour scales (VABS-3) were done at recruitment and at eight months via phone consultation. Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used to analyse differences between pre- and postintervention outcome measures.

RESULTS: Statistically significant increase in number of sexual health topics taught by parents and appropriate socio-sexual behaviours of children were found. Intellectual function of children with ASD influenced the study outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Parent sexual health training can be done to empower parents to educate children with ASD and promote appropriate socio-sexual behaviours.