Caregivers’ Lived Experiences of Sexuality in Adolescent Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract The period of adolescence involves profound physical, sexual, emotional, and social changes, and these changes are often uniquely experienced by adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The role played by families, particularly mothers who provide care, is crucial during this period; however, the burden of care, social norms, and lack of information make managing this process difficult. This study aims to draw attention to this area and shed light on practices by conducting an in-depth examination of mothers’ experiences, given that studies focusing on the family experiences of adolescents with ASD are limited in Türkiye. It is thought that understanding the experiences of caregivers is particularly necessary for understanding the difficulties related to the sexuality processes of adolescent boys with ASD. This study was conducted using a phenomenological research design. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 mothers and analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis revealed three main themes: (1) adolescence and physical changes, (2) the discovery of sexuality, and (3) problematic sexual behaviors and coping strategies during adolescence. Participants indicated that they struggled due to a lack of knowledge in process management, insufficient social support, and inadequate institutional structures, and that they were mostly forced to manage the process alone. The findings indicate that during adolescence, young people with ASD require strengthened information and support mechanisms for their families regarding sexual development. Understanding the experiences of caregiving mothers provides an important foundation for family focused intervention.