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What Is Sex?

A Guide for People with Autism, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Kate E Reynolds author Jonathon Powell illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Published:29th Nov '21

Should be back in stock very soon

What Is Sex? cover

A comprehensive guide on sexual education for individuals with autism and SEND, What Is Sex? addresses consent, safety, and healthy relationships.

This thoughtfully illustrated book serves as a straightforward guide to understanding sex for individuals with autism and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). What Is Sex? features clear and direct language, accompanied by illustrations that depict the physical processes involved in sex. It emphasizes crucial topics such as consent and safety, aiming to empower both adults and young people to cultivate healthy relationships.

In What Is Sex?, the author addresses the often-taboo subject of intimacy for those with autism and SEND. Many individuals in these communities may experience romantic relationships, yet discussions around sex are frequently vague or avoided altogether. This lack of clarity can lead to misunderstandings about consent, sexual health, and even pregnancy, pushing individuals to seek unreliable information online. The book aims to fill this gap by providing a candid exploration of sexual topics.

By breaking down complex concepts into accessible language and visuals, What Is Sex? equips readers with a comprehensive understanding of what sex entails. It covers essential knowledge, such as the proper terminology for sexual organs and activities, as well as the potential physical outcomes of engaging in sexual behavior. Ultimately, this resource is designed to foster informed discussions and promote healthy, respectful relationships among individuals with autism and SEND.

A welcome addition to my bookshelf. Too often vital information on what a real sexual relationship actually feels like and involves is omitted from educational resources for people with autism and special education needs and disabilities. I welcome its sex-positive perspective, for example exploring how foreplay can be made more pleasurable, as pleasure-based sex education is often omitted in such resources. The book is inclusive of diverse sexual and gender expressions and could be used with both young people and adults. I will be recommending it to anyone working in this area. -- Dr Claire Bates, Supported Loving Leader
This is a straightforward book that will answer many questions about sex. Kate Reynolds book is an essential addition to her previous collection which I use with our students and young adults in our educational program. Kate Reynolds has the talent to explore a sensitive topic while taking into account the importance of details and visual content to make the information concrete and accessible. A must read for all professionals and parents! -- Isabelle Hénault, PhD, psychologist & sexologist, Director of the Autism & Asperger’s Clinic at Montreal, Canada

ISBN: 9781787759374

Dimensions: 166mm x 184mm x 10mm

Weight: 186g

40 pages