Social Stories for Sexuality Education for Persons with Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Abstract Lack of social skills for individuals having autism can be particularly significant in the area of intimate relationships and of sexuality. However, typical sexuality education programs for persons with disabilities may lack components that address the unique social skill needs for persons having autism. In special education, Social Stories have been used to teach appropriate social skills and behaviors to children and youth having autism. Nonetheless, no research documents the use of social stories in sexuality education in this population. The present paper outlines the instructional use of Social Stories with individuals having autism, investigates components that make Social Stories a promising method of intervention, and discusses implications for the utility of Social Stories for sexuality education in particular. Information presented should assist individuals with autism and their caregivers/educators in preparing for, and managing the opportunities to engage in healthy and satisfying sexual lives. Keywords Social Stories Á Sexuality education Á Autism Á Pervasive developmental disorder Á Social skills Social skills deficits represent an essential part of the diagnostic picture of autism/pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). The DSM-lV [1] defines autism as an impairment in reciprocal social interaction with a severely limited behavior, interest, and activity repertoire. In fact, several specific characteristics of social interaction and of communication are outlined in the DSM-lV, of which multiple ones have to be displayed by an individual to be assigned the diagnostic label of PDD and specifically, of autism. Individuals who have autism frequently show impairments of social interaction in areas such as the ability to initiate social relationships or to maintain close, reciprocal relationships [2] and they may have difficulties with taking the perspective of others and understanding viewpoints other than their ow