Sex education in adolescents with ASD: a qualitative study on the role of parents in the Italian context

Background Sex education for adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is often overlooked in traditional educational programs, despite scientific evidence highlighting the need for a specific personalized approach. Family involvement is essential, but Italian literature on the role of caregivers in this area is still limited. Materials and methods This qualitative study adapted a previously developed qualitative protocol to the Italian context. A focus group was conducted with parents of adolescents with ASD (n=9) and an online questionnaire was administered (n=12). The questions explored previous experiences, perceptions of sex education, content considered a priority, and preferred methods of intervention. Results The thematic analysis highlighted two macro areas: 1) the role of parents in sex education, ranging from direct supervision to delegation to professionals; 2) the vulnerability of children with ASD, linked to communication difficulties, exposure to inappropriate content and lack of experiential education. Parents expressed a strong need for clear, experiential and culturally sensitive educational tools. Conclusions The study highlights the need to develop structured and inclusive sex education programs for adolescents with ASD, actively involving caregivers. A multidimensional and collaborative approach is essential, capable of integrating emotional, physical and regulatory aspects. The results offer a significant contribution to bridging the gap in Italy on this issue and to guiding future educational and policy interventions.