We are excited to announce a study aimed at enhancing Puberty and Sexual Health Education for autistic adolescents. Our project is focused on the understanding that puberty and sexual health are crucial aspects of adolescent development, especially to foster self-awareness and healthy relationships. The primary objective of our study is to validate and assess the effectiveness of an innovative online educational toolkit. This toolkit is designed to provide autistic adolescents and their families with accessible information about puberty, sexual health, and sexuality. We aim to understand the feasibility of an introductory and self-paced approach to this sensitive subject matter, evaluating its usefulness and social application from the perspective of autistic adolescents and their parents or guardians. We invite families with autistic adolescents aged 14 to 19 to participate in this study. Participants will engage in a series of online modules, questionnaires, and interviews to help us understand their knowledge and experiences related to puberty and sexual health. There will be a total of three online study visits, totaling up to 5 hours across the three visits.

Not only will your involvement help in better understanding and enhancing Puberty and Sexual Health Education for autistic adolescents, but it also offers an opportunity for you and your child to deepen your knowledge on these important topics. Additionally, participants will receive a stipend for their time and contributions to this research. We believe that this study could have far-reaching implications for curriculum development and the adaptation of educational resources to diverse learners, with the potential to benefit many families and educator.

Name of Organization:
George Mason University

For questions, please email:
[email protected]

Study Link: 
https://redcap.gmu.edu/surveys/?s=WEMWPDAJL4ATYLJE