Autistic young people and puberty

22 July

Written By Maree Crabbe

Being a sexual being is part of life. Autistic young people have a right to access sexuality education that makes sense for them and supports them to develop relationships and sexuality that are healthy, respectful, consenting and mutual.

Autistic young people and puberty

Autistic young people can experience their bodies, changes to their bodies, gender and sexuality in different ways.

Autistic young people’s experiences of puberty may be different from those of non-autistic young people.

There is a big range in how people experience puberty.

In puberty and adolescence, many young people feel a strong desire to 'fit in' with their peers.

Some autistic young people may try hard to ‘mask’ our autism so we can fit in more with our peers.

Maree Crabbe

Autistic young people and sexuality

Pornography and monotropism