Sexuality of a person with autism spectrum disorder : perspective of professionals

U Hrvatskoj još ne postoje istraživanja na području seksualnosti osoba s poremećajem iz spektra autizma. Spolnost je prirodan dio života kako svake osobe tipičnog razvoja tako i osoba s poremećajem iz spektra autizma i one imaju pravo na podršku i u tom području. Edukacija o spolnosti trebala bi podrazumijevati sve razine socijalne interakcije i specifičnosti osoba s PSA Cilj ovog rada je ustanoviti s kojim seksualnim ponašanjima osoba s PSA su se susretali sudionici istraživanja, odnosno edukacijski rehabilitatori, utvrditi stanje na području edukacije o seksualnosti u ustanovama u kojima rade te ispitati njihove stavove o seksualnost te spremnost i kompetencije za provedbu edukacije o seksualnosti. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 65 sudionika, a najviše sudionika istraživanja radi u posebnoj odgojno – obrazovnoj ustanovi s djecom/odraslima s autizmom i drugim teškoćama. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja kreiran je Upitnik o seksualnim ponašanjima osoba s PSA koji je proveden online. Najčešće se radilo o dodirivanju svojih genitalija, držanju za ruke, grljenju i ljubljenju te dodirivanju tuđih genitalija. Ta ponašanja su najčešće bila usmjerena prema samoj osobi i drugim osobama od kojih najviše prema poznatim i nepoznatim osobama suprotnog spola. Nažalost većina sudionika je izjavila da nema sustavne edukacije o seksualnosti za osobe s PSA, plana niti kurikuluma, nego da ona ovisi individualnom trudu pojedinaca. Stavovi o seksualnosti osoba s PSA uglavnom su vrlo pozitivni, međutim manji broj osoba iskazao spremnost za provođenje edukacije o seksualnosti, posebno dijelove koji se odnose na pružanje neposredne podrške i vođenja. Mogući razlozi mogu biti i rezultati koji ukazuju na veliku potrebu za edukacijom stručnjaka na ovom području te nedovoljno resursa za provedbu edukacije o seksualnosti za djecu s PSAThere is no research in Croatia in the field of sexuality of people with autism spectrum disorder. Sexuality is a natural part of the life of every person of typical development and people with autism spectrum disorders and they have the right to be supported in this area as well. Sexuality education should understand all levels of social interaction and specifics of people with PSA. The aim of this paper is to establish which sexual behaviors of people with PSA encountered by research participants, ie educational rehabilitators, to determine the situation in the field of sexuality education in institutions where they work and to examine their attitudes about sexuality and their willingness and competencies to implement sexuality education. 65 participants participated in the research, and most of the research participants work in a special educational institution with children / adults with autism and other difficulties. For the purposes of this research, a Questionnaire on sexual behavior of a person with PSA was created, which was proven on the Internet. It was most often about touching one's genitals, holding hands, hugging and kissing, and touching other people's genitals. These behaviors are most often directed at the person and other people, most of them towards known and unknown people of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, most participants stated that there is no systematic education about the sexuality of people with PSA, a plan or a curriculum, but that it depends on the individual effort of individuals. Attitudes towards sexuality of a person with PSA are generally very positive, however a smaller number of persons express a willingness to conduct education on sexuality, especially the parts related to providing immediate support and guidance. Possible reasons may be the results that indicate a great need for education of professionals in this field and do not return enough for proven sexuality education for children with PS