Making Sense of Sex: A Forthright Guide to Puberty, Sex and Relationships for People with Asperger's Syndrome

Front Cover
Jessica Kingsley Publishers, May 15, 2008 - Education - 320 pages

Puberty is a time of huge change in the physical body, in emotional experience and in social relationships. Having an understanding of these developments and learning how to deal with them is essential, and for people with Asperger's syndrome it can be a challenge to get to grips with the social and emotional aspects of puberty, sex and relationships.

This book is ideal for those who need clear, detailed explanations and direct answers to the many questions raised by puberty and sexual maturity. Sarah Attwood describes developments in both the male and female body, and explains how to maintain hygiene and personal care, and to promote general good health. She examines emotional changes, including moods and sexual feelings, and provides comprehensive information on sex, sexual health and reproduction. She looks at the nature of friendship, how it changes from childhood to adulthood and its importance as a basis for sexual encounter. She also offers coping strategies for different social experiences, from bullying to dating, and includes essential tips on the politics of mature behaviour, such as knowing the difference between public and personal topics of conversation.

Making Sense of Sex is a thorough guide written in unambiguous language with helpful diagrams, explanations and practical advice for young people approaching puberty and beyond.

 

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
9
AUTHORS NOTE
11
INTRODUCTION
13
A NOTE TO PARENTS AND CARERS
17
1 Your Body
27
2 Puberty
47
3 Caringfor Your Body
95
4 MakingHealthy Choices
121
7 Sex
199
8 SexualRelationships
223
9 Looking AfterYour Sexual Health
249
10 FertilizationPregnancy and Birth
275
11 Sexual Language
299
RECOMMENDED READING
307
USEFUL WEBSITES
309
INDEX
313

5 UnderstandingEmotions
147
6 Friendships
165

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Page 32 - The urethra is a small duct that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. A woman's urethra is only 1" to 2" (2.5 to 5 cm) long and anterior to the vaginal opening.
Page 2 - Asperger's Syndrome and Sexuality From Adolescence through Adulthood Isabelle Henault Foreword by Tony Attwood ISBN 978 1 84310 189 5 Sex, Sexuality and the Autism Spectrum Wendy Lawson Foreword by Glenys Jones ISBN 978 1 843102847 The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome Tony Attwood ISBN 978 1 84310495 7 AUTISTICS...

About the author (2008)

Sarah Attwood worked for fifteen years as a sexuality educator in Australia, where she designed a wide range of sexual health programmes. Her particular areas of expertise include the education of parents and of school children aged 9 to 17 years. She grew up with a sister who has Asperger's syndrome and who has been an inspiration to her.

Jonathon Powell completed a Diploma of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Animation at Griffith University, Queensland. He has illustrated material for Family Planning Queensland, including several brochures, an education manual, Talking About It, and a CD-Rom package, Puberty Plus. Most recently, he has illustrated a number of independent publications.

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