Talking circles as a sex education strategy for families of autistic children and adolescents: An experience report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21814/rpe.40308Keywords:
Sex education, Talking circles, Autism, Families.Abstract
Sexuality plays a central role in human development, but in the context of autism, it presents unique characteristics, due to the particularities of social and communicative development. Autistic individuals can experience specific challenges related to sexuality, such as greater exposure to situations of sexual violence. However, the topic is still little explored, generating gaps in family guidance and the creation of appropriate interventions. Given this reality, talking circles have emerged as a strategic tool to promote inclusive sex education and strengthen the protective role of families in the face of sexual violence. The aim of this study was to describe the experience of using talking circles as a sex education strategy for families of autistic children and adolescents. This descriptive qualitative study is characterized as an experience report. The experience was conducted between 2023 and 2024 in associations supporting autistic individuals and their families in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil. The talking circles proved to be an effective strategy for promoting sex education within the context of autism. Through a welcoming and participatory environment, it was possible to demystify taboos and provide practical tools for addressing sensitive issues related to sexuality within the autism spectrum.
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