Osoby z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu a relacje romantyczne – przegląd literatury

People with autism spectrum disorders and romantic relationships – a review of the literature

Alicja Dubiel
ORCID: 0009-0009-7670-5748
Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie

Irmina Bubula
ORCID: 0009-0003-5734-2992
Uniwersytet Komisji Edukacji Narodowej w Krakowie

Abstrakt:

Zaburzenia ze spektrum autyzmu (ASD) zarówno w przypadku dorosłych i młodzieży są związane z zaburzeniami w zakresie teorii umysłu. Co z kolei pośrednio wpływa na społeczne tworzenie relacji międzyludzkich, a zatem również dotyczy relacji romantycznych. Pojawiające się trudności w relacjach romantycznych mogą być związane nie tylko z nieumiejętnością interpretowania stanów intrapsychicznych innych osób, ale również mogą być powiązane z trudnościami w integracji sensorycznej. Zarówno w kontekście nadwrażliwości jak i niewystarczającej wrażliwości w odbiorze percepcyjnym świata. w tym aspekcie proces terapeutyczny powinien wiązać się z opieką lub/i wsparciem sensorycznym. w związku z trudnościami w relacjach, obszar relacji romantycznych u osób z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu wydaje się być bardzo istotną sferą do wsparcia przez różne potwierdzone naukowo interwencje. Interwencje te powinny dotyczyć zarówno wspomaganie osób z ASD w trwaniu w relacji oraz w budowaniu intymnej i bliskiej relacji z partnerem. Ważnym obszarem w ramach interwencji również wydają się być: zmniejszanie lęku przed inicjacją relacji czy inicjacji aktu intymnego, a także procesem odkrywania własnej tożsamości seksualnej. Równie kluczowym obszarem wydaje się być edukacja seksualna zarówno w obszarze zagrożeń przed nadużyciami na tle seksualnym, ale także w sferze lepszego samopoznania u osób z ASD. Nadal niewiele interwencji jest w pełni metodologicznie poprawnie zweryfikowanych, w związku z czym nadal mało można powiedzieć o skuteczności terapii dla par, w których przynajmniej jeden z partnerów jest osobą z zaburzeniami ze spektrum autyzmu. Ważnym jest, aby temat randkowania i budowania relacji romantycznych wśród osób z ASD przestał być tematem tabu, a podejście terapeutyczne stało się dużo bardziej kompleksowe.

Słowa kluczowe: zaburzenia ze spektrum autyzmu, dorośli i młodzież, teoria umysłu, relacje romantyczne, integracja sensoryczna, interwencje wspierające

Abstract:

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in both adults and adolescents are associated with disturbances in the theory of mind. Which indirectly affects the social formation of interpersonal relationships, and therefore also affects romantic relationships. Emerging difficulties in romantic relationships may not only be related to an inability to interpret the intrapsychic states of others but may also be related to difficulties in sensory integration. Both in the context of hypersensitivity and insufficient sensitivity. In this aspect, the therapeutic process should involve care and/or sensory support. In connection with relationship difficulties, the area of romantic relationships in the context of people with spectrum disorders, autism seems to be a very important sphere to be supported by various scientifically validated interventions. Interventions should address both supporting individuals with ASD to stay in the relationship and to build an intimate and close relationship with their partner. Reducing the fear of initiating a relationship or initiating an intimate act, as well as the process of discovering one’s sexual identity. Also, it seems to be an important areas for intervention. Additionally, sex education seems to be a very important area, both in the context of threats against sexual abuse but also in the realm of better self-discovery by people with ASD. There are still few interventions that are fully methodologically correctly validated, and as a result, there is still little to be said about the effectiveness of therapy for couples in which at least one of the partners is a person with an autism spectrum disorder. It is important that the topic of dating and building romantic relationships among people with ASD ceases to be a taboo subject, and that the therapeutic approach becomes much more comprehensive.

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, adults and adolescents, theory of mind, romantic relationships, sensory integration, supportive interventions

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