The Birds and Bees: A Pilot Study of a Parent-Led Sexual Health Education Program for Autistic Youth

IF 1.1 4区医学 Q3 REHABILITATION

Sexuality and Disability Pub Date : 2024-09-04 DOI:10.1007/s11195-024-09869-4

Lindsey DeVries, Kelly T. Cosgrove, Ilana Hayutin, Christine Dub, Valentina Postorino, Caitlin Middleton

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Abstract

Parents of autistic youth often express uncertainty in addressing topics related to sexual health and puberty with their children. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the Birds and Bees program, a novel, group-based sexual and reproductive health education (SRE) program for parents of autistic youth. Parents (n = 10) completed measures of their knowledge about SRE topics, self-efficacy, outcome expectations for discussing these topics with their children, and child daily living skills pre- and post-intervention. Of the ten parents enrolled in the intervention, six completed the program. Treatment completers attended 77% of sessions (an average of 6 of the 8 sessions). Parent acceptability of the program was high. There was support for increased parent knowledge (Hedge’s g = 0.79), self-efficacy (Hedge’s g = 0.75), and outcome expectations (Hedge’s g = 0.51) from pre- to post-intervention. No meaningful changes in parent report of their child’s personal daily living skills were reported (Hedge’s g = 0.15). Implications of these results illustrate the positive impact of an innovative parent-led SRE program for caregivers of autistic youth.

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鸟儿和蜜蜂针对自闭症青少年的家长主导型性健康教育项目试点研究

自闭症青少年的父母在与孩子讨论与性健康和青春期相关的话题时，经常会表示不确定。这项试点研究的目的是评估 "小鸟和蜜蜂 "计划的可行性、可接受性和初步效果，该计划是一项针对自闭症青少年家长的新颖、以小组为基础的性健康和生殖健康教育（SRE）计划。家长们（n = 10）在干预前和干预后完成了有关性与生殖健康教育主题的知识、自我效能感、与孩子讨论这些主题的结果预期以及孩子日常生活技能的测量。在参加干预的 10 位家长中，有 6 位完成了项目。完成治疗者参加了 77% 的课程（平均 8 次课程中的 6 次）。家长对该计划的接受度很高。从干预前到干预后，家长的知识水平（Hedge's g = 0.79）、自我效能感（Hedge's g = 0.75）和结果预期（Hedge's g = 0.51）都有所提高。家长对孩子个人日常生活技能的报告没有发生有意义的变化（Hedge's g = 0.15）。这些结果的意义说明，由家长主导的创新性自闭症青少年自立教育计划对自闭症青少年的照顾者产生了积极影响。

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来源期刊

Sexuality and Disability REHABILITATION-

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

20.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Sexuality and Disability is an international forum for the publication of peer-reviewed original interdisciplinary scholarly papers that address the psychological and medical aspects of sexuality in relation to rehabilitation. Publishing timely research articles, review articles, case studies, clinical practice reports, brief research reports, survey data reports, and book and film reviews, the journal offers the latest developments in the area of sexuality as it relates to a wide range of disabilities and conditions. Contributions address: clinical and research progress; community programs; independent-living programs; guidelines for clinical practice; special grand-rounds topics; consumer issues; and contemporary developments in special programs in sex education and counseling for people with disabilities. The journal features special issues with internationally renowned guest editors focusing on current topics in sexual health. By publishing research, best-practice, evidence-based, and educational articles, the journal seeks to contribute to the field''s knowledge base and advancement. Sexuality and Disability is an essential resource for the exchange of new knowledge, issues, techniques, and available modalities for researchers and other professionals addressing the psychological and medical aspects of sexuality in rehabilitation, medical, academic, and community settings.