Table of Contents

Foreword by Dr Wenn Lawson. Foreword by Jeanette Purkis. Introduction. 1. Overview of Relationships and Sexuality. 2. Gender. 3. Types of Sexuality. 4. Types of Relationships. 5. Understanding Your Own Sexuality. 6. Understanding the Sexuality of Others. 7. Sexual Relationships. 8. Non-sexual Relationships. 9. Starting Sexual Relationships. 10. Sexual Relationships in Real Life. 11. Meeting Online and Transitioning to Real Life. 12. Ending Relationships. 13. Reasons Why You Should End Long-term Relationships. 14. Maintaining Long-term Relationships. 15. Sexual Activity and Sexual Pleasure. 16. Sexual Activity By Yourself. 17. Sexual Activity with Someone Else. 18. Having Children (Your Own and Others') and How this Affects Relationships. 19. Choosing Not to Have Children. 20. Physical and Mental Health and Relationships. 21. Physical and Mental Health and Sexual Activity. Summary.

Promotional Information

A down-to-earth, practical guide to help adults on the autism spectrum to find and maintain healthy relationships of their own choosing in a safe, enjoyable way

About the Author

Emma Goodall, PhD, is a Senior Autism Advisor in South Australia and an executive committee member of the Australian Society for Autism Research (ASfAR) as well as an executive committee member for the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN Aus/NZ). Emma has volunteered for an HIV support service, was married and divorced by the age of 22 and has a range of friends across all genders and with a variety of sexualities. As an educator, she understands the damage that bad information can cause in relation to being able to live happily and enjoy one's sexuality. Emma lives in Adelaide, South Australia, with her partner.

Reviews

All too often in life and literature autistic people are cast as sexless, childlike beings. In fact, this could not be further from the truth. The Autism Spectrum Guide to Relationships and Sexuality addresses this by providing a highly useful guide for adults on the autism spectrum which focusses on practically everything related to relationships, dating and sex. I would have found this book particularly helpful when I was a young adult coming to terms with my gender identity and sexuality and starting to have my first experiences of sexual relationships.The book is completely free of any kind of judgement or moralising. It is respectful and inclusive of the various sexualities and gender differences that people have. The book includes detailed information on a number of topics which autistic adults will find useful, such as different types of sexuality, starting relationships, dating, sexual pleasure and ending relationships. The text is subtle and nuanced, providing information on some complex topics such as people whose sexuality changes over time and how that can impact on their partner. Few topics are left out so it really is a one-stop-shop for adults on the spectrum wanting to gather some useful strategies and understanding around the topic of relationships.

-- From the foreword by Jeanette Purkis, autism advocate, public speaker and author of Finding a Different Kind of Normal and The Wonderful World of Work
The Autism Spectrum Guide to Sexuality and Relationships is a solid guide...Powerful, easy-to-read and practical advice providing knowledge and strategies for people with autism. -- Ioannis Voskopoulos and Labrini Ioannou, Psychologists