Re: sex therapy and autism

[Guest guest]

Where do you live? Is there a Behavior Analyst near you? If not, I can

help you locate one who can assist you.

[Guest guest]

Where do you live? Is there a Behavior Analyst near you? If not, I can

help you locate one who can assist you.

[Guest guest]

I think this is a very sensitive subject for lots of parents and

individuals/kids with autism.

With that said I hesitate to jump into the fray.

Some of our kids/individuals have speech issues. I think this makes

them prime targets for being victims so I think as parents we need to

be very careful about sex anything with them. That includes taking

them to " professionals "

I work in mental health and have not heard of any medication being

specfically prescribed to delay puberty etc.

However some of the antidepressants and antipyschotic meds sometimes

are used to also affect impulse control have side effects that affect

sexual functioning and maturation. Some may actually increase it.

However not everyone will get these side effects and how they effect

one person may be quite different on how they affect others.

Also many individuals with autism have obsessive/compulsive traits as

part of the disorder. So sometimes sexual activities can be part of

the symptom. If it is truly excessive and not part of normal

maturation -a good psychiatrist maybe helpful for controlling

impulses or decreasing the compulsivity.

However you also need to rule out negative attention seeking and the

fuss this type of behavior incites! Some kids or individuals may get

more attention from shocking folks than following the rules. Maybe we

are getting less rewards or praise for doing the right thing.

Plus depending where this behavior is going on and in front of who

there could legal implications plus getting kicked out of nice

residential set ups.

I would encourage talking with all those folks: psychiatrist, ABA-

behaviorist and other folks who know my kid or individual the best in

order to ferret out a solution. I know myself when my child reaches

that age I may lose some of my bearings and will need to be guided as

far as what might be best and most appropriate.

Parents with normal typical kids freak out about this all the time

and do not have the challenges we have.

I hope I haven't offended anyone

Hang in there

Jeneane

Houston, TX

[Guest guest]

I think this is a very sensitive subject for lots of parents and

individuals/kids with autism.

With that said I hesitate to jump into the fray.

Some of our kids/individuals have speech issues. I think this makes

them prime targets for being victims so I think as parents we need to

be very careful about sex anything with them. That includes taking

them to " professionals "

I work in mental health and have not heard of any medication being

specfically prescribed to delay puberty etc.

However some of the antidepressants and antipyschotic meds sometimes

are used to also affect impulse control have side effects that affect

sexual functioning and maturation. Some may actually increase it.

However not everyone will get these side effects and how they effect

one person may be quite different on how they affect others.

Also many individuals with autism have obsessive/compulsive traits as

part of the disorder. So sometimes sexual activities can be part of

the symptom. If it is truly excessive and not part of normal

maturation -a good psychiatrist maybe helpful for controlling

impulses or decreasing the compulsivity.

However you also need to rule out negative attention seeking and the

fuss this type of behavior incites! Some kids or individuals may get

more attention from shocking folks than following the rules. Maybe we

are getting less rewards or praise for doing the right thing.

Plus depending where this behavior is going on and in front of who

there could legal implications plus getting kicked out of nice

residential set ups.

I would encourage talking with all those folks: psychiatrist, ABA-

behaviorist and other folks who know my kid or individual the best in

order to ferret out a solution. I know myself when my child reaches

that age I may lose some of my bearings and will need to be guided as

far as what might be best and most appropriate.

Parents with normal typical kids freak out about this all the time

and do not have the challenges we have.

I hope I haven't offended anyone

Hang in there

Jeneane

Houston, TX

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I live in Rodez, South-Western France

> Where do you live? Is there a Behavior Analyst near you? If not,

I can help you locate one who can assist you.

[Guest guest]

Thanks. I live in Rodez, South-Western France

> Where do you live? Is there a Behavior Analyst near you? If not,

I can help you locate one who can assist you.

[Guest guest]

There is a specific medication to delay puberty, primary uses is for

the treatment of idopathic percocuous puberty. (girls <7 boys <9)

" The currently approved [hormone] treatment is with drugs called LHRH

analogs, " . . . synthetic hormones that interfere with the chain of

hormonal events necessary for sexual maturation. read full article

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sexual/precocious.html

Early puberty is a complex issue in itself. This conditon can appear

independent of any other disability but it also of course can appear

in a child with a disability. Child is evaluated by endocronologist to

rule out any causative conditions. If anyone wishes further

discussion please email me off list.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

There is a specific medication to delay puberty, primary uses is for

the treatment of idopathic percocuous puberty. (girls <7 boys <9)

" The currently approved [hormone] treatment is with drugs called LHRH

analogs, " . . . synthetic hormones that interfere with the chain of

hormonal events necessary for sexual maturation. read full article

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/sexual/precocious.html

Early puberty is a complex issue in itself. This conditon can appear

independent of any other disability but it also of course can appear

in a child with a disability. Child is evaluated by endocronologist to

rule out any causative conditions. If anyone wishes further

discussion please email me off list.

Jennie

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reference. Sorry I didn't know precocious puberty was

part of the discussion.

However I just want folks to note some of the psychiatric meds

sometimes prescribed to our kids or individuals with autism can

increase prolactin causing breast development and even milk

production.

A good psychiatrist will note this and will work to alter the dose or

medication depending on the age of the child. This can also happen

in males.

However if this developes outside of the prescribed meds and is not a

side effect, I agree that a good endocrinologist could help with

whatever hormonal issue there is.

Thanks

Jeneane

Houston, tx