Tackling Teenage : Psychosexual functioning in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

With the coming of age of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it became clear that adolescence, and specifically psychosexual functioning, is particularly challenging for this population. The current thesis expands the knowledge that was acquired up until now on psychosexual functioning in adolescents with ASD by obtaining information from multiple informants in all domains of psychosexual functioning, comparing this with typically developing adolescents. Part 1 and 2 of this thesis showed that ASD traits are specifically linked to psychosexual difficulties, above and beyond other known influences (e.g. pubertal development). However, part 2 also shows that not all elements of psychosexual functioning are problematic in adolescents with ASD. Finally, part 3 showed that psychosexual knowledge of adolescents with ASD can improve with training, a finding substantiated by a more recent randomized controlled trial. Psychosexual functioning is without a doubt a topic relevant for individuals with ASD. It seems that particularly this group runs into difficulties in their psychosexual functioning during adolescence and support is needed to help them through the difficulties.