1. The Basics of Autism
Spectrum Disorders
Training Series
RAAC Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Task Force

2. Adult Training Series
Modules
 Module One: Autism Defined, Autism Prevalence and
Primary Characteristics
 Module Two: Physical Characteristics of Autism
 Module Three: Cognition and Learning in Autism
 Module Four: Autism and Sensory Differences
 Module Five: Communication and Autism

3. Adult Training Series
Modules
 Module Six: Behavior Challenges and Autism
 Module Seven: Understanding Behavior in Persons
with Autism
 Module Eight: Functional Behavior Assessment
 Module Nine: Autism and Leisure Skills to Teach
 Module Ten: Special Issues of Adolescence and
Adulthood
 Module Eleven: Safety and Autism

4. Challenges of Adolescence and
Adulthood: Behavior
Behavior:
 Generally adults with ASD do not acquire new behavior
problems but old ones may reappear.
 During adolescence there may be an increase in
aggressive behaviors.
 Adults with ASD are more likely to have behavior
problems than many other people with developmental
disabilities.

5. Challenges of Adolescence and Adulthood:
Anxiety
• Anxiety often gets worse as the person gets older.
• A quiet time or a quieting routine may be helpful if
anxiety seems high.
• Teach relaxation exercises as part of the daily routine.
• Let them know when there are changes in schedule or
activities.
• Medications for anxiety may be prescribed.
• Physical exercise may be calming.

6. Challenges of Adolescence and Adulthood:
Sexuality
 Some behaviors may be seen as sexually
inappropriate even if the person didn’t intend for
them to be.
 For example, the person with ASD may not
understand how staring, undoing pants on the way to
the bathroom, leaving the bathroom door open,
staring in windows, saying inappropriate things
bothers others.
 We will have to teach behaviors that are acceptable.

7. Autism and Sexuality
 Sex and sexuality is a hard topic, especially related to
individuals with ASD, and one that we might rather avoid.
 Sexuality is an integral part of the personality of everyone.
 Avoiding discussion and active teaching about sexuality can
hurt individuals in the long-term if it is not addressed openly
and honestly.
 As with other social skills or interactions, the individual with
autism is not going to learn the cultural rules or norms about
sex without being directly instructed.
 Program staff need to be in partnership with family members
as sexuality issues are addressed.

8. Big Idea
Inappropriate sexual behavior needs to
be treated as we would any other
behavior. We need to be matter-of-fact
when dealing with these behaviors. We
need to teach appropriate behavior.

9. Myths About Sexuality and the
Individual with Autism
Persons with ASD have little or no interest
in sexuality.
Persons with ASD are hypersexual, or have
an higher than normal interest in sex.
Persons with ASD are solely heterosexual.

10. The Truth Is…..
 Persons with ASD are sexual beings, as are all of us.
 Individuals with ASD may have sexual feelings that are
out-of-sync with their level of social development and
awareness.
 As individuals with autism grow older, their social and
sexual skills sets are likely to show a wider difference
from their chronological age and appearance.
 Other people will base their expectations on their
chronological age, NOT their developmental age.

11. Guidelines to Teaching
Sexuality
 Think ahead and be proactive. Do not wait until the
individual demonstrates an “inappropriate” sexual
behavior.
 Be concrete.
 Be serious, calm, and supportive.
 Break larger areas of information into smaller, more
manageable ideas.
 Be consistent and be repetitive.

12. Big Idea
Sexuality Education increases the
likelihood that people with disabilities
will either have the skills to stay
safe, or will be more likely to report
victimization after it occurs.

13. Challenges of Adolescence and Adulthood:
Medications
 There is no “Autism” medicine.
 Medicine is used to target specific
symptoms.
 Doctors may use a trial and error
approach to find the right medicine and the
correct dose.

14. Challenges of Adolescence and
Adulthood: Medications
Symptoms that are sometimes targeted:
Obsessive-compulsive behaviors
Anxiety
Aggression
Seizures
Hyperactivity/Attention

15. Big Idea
You need to clearly describe the
symptoms in order to help the
doctor know how to treat the
problem.

16. Challenges of Adolescence and
Adulthood: Regular Check-ups
 The person with ASD needs regular medical check-
ups.
 Vaccinations need to be up-to-date.
 Blood pressure needs to be checked yearly (more
often if the person has a blood pressure problem).
 Weight needs to be checked regularly to make sure
there are no rapid weight gains or losses.

17. Challenges of Adolescence and
Adulthood: Regular Check-ups
 Women need to have yearly visits with the
gynecologist.
 Regular dental check-ups are important. Special
arrangements may have to be made for these visits.
 Procedures like drawing blood or medical tests may
need special planning.

18. Challenges of Adolescence and
Adulthood: Everyday Precautions
 Skin should be examined for unusual growths or
moles (make sure the person wears sunscreen).
 Any changes in bowel or bladder habits should be
reported.
 Listen for loud snoring and gasping for breath
during sleep. Many people with ASD have sleep
apnea. This may need to be treated.

19. Big Idea
People with ASD will experience many of
the problems of aging that we all face.
The challenge is that they may not be
able to tell us about the symptoms they
are experiencing.

20. Challenges of Adolescence and
Adulthood: Physical Activity
 Some people with ASD may not be self-motivated by
physical exercise but may be motivated by a
favorite activity.
 The person may like certain activities such as
swimming, horseback riding, Karate.
 A daily walking program could provide necessary
physical activity.

21. Big Idea
Physical activity is
necessary for a healthy
life style.