Sexuality on the Spectrum

Strategies for Education and Advocacy

8-Course Series

A transformative series for behavior analysts, educators, and families seeking inclusive, research-backed strategies for teaching sexual health on the spectrum.

"This is a learning bank of information gathered from pockets of excellence across the country. Now everybody can access it and we can all move forward collectively." —Dr. Peter Gerhardt

Save $45 when you add all 8 to your cart!

Each course in the series is available individually or as part of a bundle.

1. Sexuality Education for Individuals with Autism

What We Know and How to Apply It

Instructors: Peter Gerhardt, EdD, Jessica Cauchi, PhD, BCBA-D, CPBA-AP

This course helps professionals, caregivers, and family members understand what those challenges are and how to meet them through timely, effective sexuality education tailored to persons with ASD.

The course examines historical and cultural contexts, surveys current research, and provides evidence-based and real-world approaches to providing persons with ASD meaningful access to a well-considered sexuality education and sexual health.

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2. Sexuality on the Spectrum: Lessons on Sex, Dating, and Love, Autism Style

Instructor: Amy Gravino, MA, CAS

This course delves into the personal experiences of an autistic woman, providing valuable insights into the social and emotional aspects of relationships and intimacy. It explores the complex relationship between autism and sexuality, challenging common misconceptions and advocating for comprehensive sex education for autistic individuals. It highlights the importance of understanding the unique challenges and perspectives of autistic individuals, promoting a sex-positive approach that emphasizes respect, safety, and self-advocacy.

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3. Comprehensive Sexuality Education for School-Age Children with Autism

Practical Strategies for Teaching Sexual Health to Neurodiverse Students

Instructor: Landa Fox, MA, BCBA

Join Landa Fox, BCBA, CSHE, for an in-depth exploration of sexual health education for school-age children with autism and other disabilities. This course provides practical guidance and teaching tools for setting appropriate goals and implementing effective interventions tailored to the unique needs of each student. Learn how to create a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes healthy sexuality and empowers students to make informed choices.

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4. Comprehensive Sexuality Education for Adolescents & Adults with Autism

Practical Strategies for Teaching Sexual Health and Autonomy

Instructor: Shane Spiker, PhD, BCBA-D, IBA

Shane Spiker, PhD, BCBA-D, IBA, explores the often neglected world of sexuality education and sexual health for adolescents and adults with autism. Learn about the latest national standards, the psychosocial development of adolescents, and the behavioral issues that might arise at their intersection. Discover helpful assessment and intervention strategies and techniques for teaching about sexuality that support sexual health, as well as how to address important legal and ethical concerns through practical examples of applied in real-world settings.

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5. Neurodiversity and Gender Diversity

Understanding and Supporting Gender-Diverse, Neurodivergent Individuals

Instructor: Zosia Zaks, PhD

Zosia Zaks explores the intersection of gender diversity and neurodiversity, focusing on the unique challenges and experiences of individuals who are both gender divergent and autistic. The lesson covers the basics of gender diversity and transition, the co-occurrence of gender diversity and neurodiversity, and special considerations for professionals working with individuals who are both gender divergent and autistic. Additionally, the lesson provides tips and strategies for effective practice, including the importance of understanding, respecting, and advocating for the needs of gender-divergent and neurodivergent individuals.

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6. Culture, Religion, Sex Education, and Autism

Navigating Cultural and Religious Considerations in Autism and Sex Education

Instructor: Madhura Deshpande, MS, BCBA

This course explores the intersection between culture, religion, sex education, and autism. Learn to navigate the complexities of providing effective and sensitive sex education to individuals with ASD while respecting diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Presenter Madhura Desphande offers practical strategies for fostering a culturally humble approach, assessing learner readiness, addressing potential barriers, and creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all.

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7. Building Buy-In for Meaningful Skill Development

Gaining Stakeholder Support for Adaptive Skills and Sexuality Education

Instructor: Shanna Bahry, PhD, BCBA-D

You know you need to provide sexuality education, but how do you get buy-in from families, school administrators, and insurance providers? Dr. Shanna Bahry, BCBA-D, teaches how to explain to stakeholders the importance of focusing on meaningful goals and adaptive skills and relates both to sexuality education. Dr. Bahry covers research on adult outcomes, the importance of long-term planning, and strategies for involving families in the goal-writing process. You’ll also learn how to overcome common buy-in issues and get everyone on the same page.

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8. Sexuality Education and Autism: Ethical Perspectives

Instructor: Jessica Cauchi, PhD, BCBA-D, CPBA-AP

This course empowers behavior analysts to confidently address sexuality education for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Cauchi guides you through ethical considerations, such as scope of competence and rapport building, and provides practical strategies for developing effective interventions, even with limited research. Learn a person-centered approach that prioritizes skills significantly impacting the client's life while respecting their personal liberties.

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Watch/hear Shane Spiker on our podcast discussing the gap in functional sex education

This course series offers a comprehensive and ethical approach to sexuality education for autistic individuals, designed to equip ABA practitioners and families with the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to support their clients' sexual health and well-being. Recognizing the gap in resources and understanding surrounding this vital topic, the series dispels harmful myths and brings together the latest research, evidence-based practices, and first-person perspectives to empower autistic individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

What the Instructors Have to Say

Peter Gerhardt, EdD

"We have really, as a team, pulled together the X Men of sexuality research with ASD. There are pockets of excellence across the country. We need to be able to have a learning bank of all of this information, so that everybody can access it and we can all move forward collectively, and not [have to] reinvent the wheel at every turn, which is literally what we do in this part of our field."
Amy Gravino, MA, CAS

"Autistic people are sexual beings, right? This should be a no-brainer.
We need to look less at the behaviors and more at the unmet need. What is the function of the behavior? And how can we support autistic individuals to get those needs met in safer, more socially acceptable, and more effective ways?
We need to be aware of the unique sensory experiences and communication styles of autistic individuals and how these might impact their understanding of sex and relationships.
Denying autistic people the opportunity to engage in relationships and to explore our sexuality because of the discomfort of neurotypicals’ it is not an excuse to deny us this valuable, lifesaving information. This course will transform people’s ideas about autism, about sexuality, and will provide a rationale, directions, and a guide to help people begin to have these vital conversations about sexuality with their autistic children and clients."
Landa Fox, MA, BCBA

"For a very long time, research focused on what parents and teachers thought was important for autistic or DD/ID students to learn about, without ever asking those people what THEY wanted to learn about.
Autistic people want comprehensive and accurate sex education that addresses sexuality, intimate relationships, and gender identity (diversity) from a positive perspective."
Jessica Cauchi, EdD

"We need to make sure that we are targeting the right goals, and we need to make sure that we are applying [behavior analysis] in the right way."
Shanna Bahry, PhD, BCBA-D

“Every child is an adult-in-progress.
The best time to start sexuality education is now.”
Zosia Zaks, PhD

“We tend to have very strict ideas in our society about what a woman is or what a man is, and there are only two options. You have to be male or female. I think what neurodivergent people who are also gender divergent are bringing to the table is that there is a much wider range of options for humanity. And the more options we have, the freer people can be.
The more we can get out this information about who we are, what it means to be gender divergent and neurodivergent, and how professionals and others can best support us and join as allies to make sure that we don’t backslide and go back to a time when it was next to impossible to live, the better.”
Madhura Deshpande, MS, BCBA

“Every living organism is a sexual organism, so [sex education] has to be approached with the same type of objectivity as any other subject the child might learn at school.
Prioritize personal preferences and individual needs over broad cultural or religious expectations. This ensures a respectful and effective educational experience.”
Shane Spiker, PhD, BCBA-D, IBA

"When it comes to sexuality education, it is important to remember that we are a part of a team, and parents and other stakeholders are pivotal parts of that team.
We need to be prepared to address the unique challenges that autistic people may face when it comes to sexuality. We can’t just talk about the mechanics of sex. We need to talk about relationships, intimacy, and consent."