The Awareness of Special Education Teachers about Comprehensive Sex Education

Year 2024, Volume: 11 Issue: 4, 767 - 788, 31.12.2024

Çimen Oğur , Seray Olçay

https://doi.org/10.30900/kafkasegt.1543452

Abstract

Comprehensive sex education aims to equip individuals with relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, assist them in the establishment of adequate social and sexual relationships, and maximize their awareness about decision-making and their rights. It was reported in the literature that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are one of the disability groups that require sex education. It was emphasized that teachers play a key role in sex education. The present descriptive study aimed to determine the knowledge and experience levels, and professional development requirements of the teachers who instruct individuals with ASD in comprehensive sex education. The study was conducted with 200 volunteering teachers, and the study data were collected with a survey form. The study findings indicated that only 10% of the teachers instructed sex education to individuals with ASD, and the teachers did not have adequate knowledge on comprehensive sex education content. They focused on the biological dimension of comprehensive sex education, and they did not instruct the content associated with relationship, rights, culture, and skills that ensure the health and well-being of the individuals. The findings are discussed based on the previous studies, and practical recommendations and suggestions for further research are presented.

Keywords

Comprehensive sexuality education, autism spectrum disorders, teachers, sexuality

Ethical Statement

The research was reviewed by the Hacettepe University at its meeting held on 11/10/2023 and was found ethically appropriate. The number of the document is E-66777842-300-00003133621.

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