The purpose of this study is to determine if there is an effect between having pleasure-inclusive sexual education and the confidence and knowledge of pleasure in adults with high-functioning Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing on the effectiveness of including pleasure in sexual education. Comprehensive sexuality education is a fundamental human right essential for well-being, safety, and prevention of exploitation and abuse. However, adults with ASD often face social and sensory challenges, indicating a need for accessible sexual health education that is often overlooked. The sample was composed of 47 individuals (ages 18-40) with either a professional or self-diagnosis of ASD. Participants were recruited at Union College, Reddit from the Autistic Adults subreddit, and through the organization Tech Unlimited, and were compensated $10 via Venmo for their participation. Data was collected through a Qualtrics survey assessing special education history, knowledge of sexual pleasure, confidence in sexual decision-making, and perceived gaps in sexual education curricula. Statistical analysis using SPSS software indicated that receiving sexual education is strongly associated with higher confidence in understanding personal sexual preferences. Pleasure-inclusive sexual education provided the most significant benefits to individual confidence. Participants who viewed sexual pleasure as important to their well-being demonstrated a stronger support for pleasure-inclusive sexual education. Data showed that the participants' value of sexual pleasure in education and comfort in communicating sexual desires were not significant, suggesting that valuing pleasure does not automatically indicate effective communication. Results also indicated a gender disparity; male participants reported significantly higher access to pleasure-based education than female participants.
This study concludes that pleasure-inclusive sexual education is necessary in encouraging sexual confidence in adults with level 1 ASD. Results identified that current sexual education demonstrates a need for more comprehensive and equitable curricula that address both the psychological and practical needs of adults with level 1 ASD.