Queer on the Spectrum

My name is Jack (they/ze/he) and I am a queer trans Autistic sexuality educator. I have been working as a sexuality educator for the last six years. I am AASECT certified. I work with therapists as well as other professionals, parents/caregivers and Autistic individuals. I provide one-on-one and group consultations, resources, and educational workshops on the intersection of human sexuality and autism. 

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 Due to education and training gaps, many therapists lack confidence and skill on the topic of human sexuality, which increases the likelihood of harm especially when working with certain populations. The Autistic population is one such group for a multitude of reasons.  

 

Currently, many therapists complete their graduate education with inadequate training in human sexuality (Burnes et al. 2017; Diambra et al. 2016; Sanabria, & Murray, Jr., 2018). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) depiction of autism doesn’t adequately prepare therapists for working with Autistics across the lifespan (Cooper et. al., 2018; May, 2018) and often what little education therapists do receive about autism is ableist and inaccurate. Therapists are leaving school unprepared resulting in their struggle and lack of preparedness when working with Autistic clients on the topic of human sexuality (Cooper et al., 2018; Mack, 2019; Opar, 2018). This educational dearth leaves therapists unprepared and under-resourced on how to offer support and education to Autistic individuals, such as an Autistic adult going through a martial rough patch or asking questions about their gender or sexuality, an Autistic teen curious about dating or an Autistic child who identifies as transgender (for example). This lack of curriculum or training also leaves Autistic individuals vulnerable to abuse in situations they are ill-equipped to navigate, creates an environment where Autistic people are more likely to be in unsafe situations where they might be identified as violating consent or perpetrating sexual assault if no information about these topics is offered, and Autistic individuals may experience overall lower life satisfaction (Opar, 2018; Urbano et al., 2013). 

 

While autism and sex-positive advocates are trying to fill the gaps in education with trainings, classes, blogs and YouTube videos, it is not a complete, responsible, or a reliable solution to this issue. Mental health professionals, educators, and parents cannot and should not be expected to fully remedy their lack of training or education on human sexuality and/or autism with continuing education classes or with YouTube videos and personal blogs. Graduate schools need to incorporate education on both human sexuality and autism/neurodiversity that is interwoven throughout the program (not just one class) for all mental health professionals. Receiving targeted training and supervision from another person with cumulative experience in the same field as you is valuable as it provides both academic experience and lived on the job experience (Clifford & Green, 1996; Flores, 2019). Research indicates that therapists should, at minimum, learn the basics of human sexuality while in school from someone with cumulative experience and then supplement their graduate school education with information gleaned from online or with continuing education classes (AASECT, 2020; Burnes et al. 2017; Diambra et al. 2016; Sanabria, & Murray, Jr., 2018). A therapist does not need to serve all clients, but they should have some degree of training on human sexuality and autism/neurodiversity to minimize the likelihood of pathologizing healthy sexuality and causing harm (lower life satisfaction, increased suicidality, depression and other mental health concerns) (Burnes et al. 2017; Diambra et al. 2016; Sanabria, & Murray, Jr., 2018).

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I have worked with therapists, medical professionals, parents and Autistic individuals for the last six years providing needed information and support on autism, human sexuality, and the intersection of the two. If you would like more information on the workshops I offer or if you would like me to attend a panel or if you would like to arrange a private consultation don't hesitate to email me at axjmd2@gmail.com. I look forward to working with you.  

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