Sex, Sexuality And The Autism Spectrum

Writing from her experience as an adult with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and as a psychologist, Lawson offers advice for those with ASDs and their partners about establishing and maintaining loving relationships, She notes the many similarities in sexuality (and the differences) between relationships in which ASDs do or do not factor, and the need for individualized sex education for all. She describes initiating relationships and being in a partnership, discovering bisexual, homosexual, and transgender dispositions, the work it will take to maintain a satisfying relationship. Building and maintaining a safe place for a relationship, and accepting and celebrating life with ASDs. She includes couple activities, worksheets, a sensory profile discussion sheet, and references. Annotation c2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Wendy Lawson is a mother of four, who was originally diagnosed as being intellectually disabled, then in her teens, as being schizophrenic, and finally in 1994, as having an autism spectrum disorder. She has been married, separated and divorced, has experienced the death of one of her teenage sons, gone through moving from one country to another, losing friends and status due to being openly gay, faced ill health and recently come to terms with the fact that she is aging! Her youngest son was diagnosed at the age of 12 as having Asperger's Syndrome. As a qualified counsellor, social worker and psychologist Wendy has operated her own private practice for many years. She is the author of five books, including Understanding and Working with the Spectrum of Autism, and Build Your Own Life: A Self-help Guide for Individuals With Asperger's Syndrome, both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.