Patterns of sexual behavior in male children with autistic disorder

Abstract EN

Background: There is minimal understanding of the sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in individuals with Autistic Disorder due to neglect of the topic in the literature.

Aim: The aim of the study is to estimate the difference in sexual behavior among children with Autistic Disorder and their chronological age peers.

Methodology: It is a case control study included male children, aged 2-6 years, with Autistic Disorder; the sample of children was studied during a full calendar year from May 2011 till May 2012.

The Sample collected during the year was 50 children; Only 30 children’s parents consented to participate in the study.

Matching number of chronologically matched peers of same age, sex and social background were recruited as controls.

All the study population was subjected to proper history taking, Assessment of Autistic Disorder was done by using DSM- IV and assessing its severity was done by GARS.

The social score was calculated using El Shaks scale.

Assessment of sexual behavior was done by using Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI) Results: There was no significant difference between children with Autistic Disorder and controls in CSBI.

There was significant difference between them in DRSB as it was higher in children with Autistic Disorder.

There was no significant in SASI between them.

Conclusion: The developmentally related sexual behavior was more in children who have Autistic Disorder which may be related to family sexuality, greater exposure than that of the average child to nudity and adult sexuality.