{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,30]],"date-time":"2026-10-30T06:02:37Z","timestamp":1793340157640,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":52,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,18]],"date-time":"2020-08-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1597708800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2021,9]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>An adult faces many challenges; however, one experience that is often taken for granted by neurotypical individuals is building intimate relationships. The purpose of this article is to discuss the barriers for healthy intimate relationships for an individual with autism, strategies to overcome these barriers, recommendations for future practice and research, and resources to improve knowledge of this important yet overlooked topic.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Method:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Data collection was done using research journals and databases such as EBSCO, SAGE Knowledge, MEDLINE, and CINAHL. The reviewed articles were published from 2015 to the present time. During the search process, the following key phrases were used: autism spectrum disorder, intimate relationships, sexuality education, and social skills. In total, 1,400 articles were found with an additional 52 sources found through other sources, of which 31 met inclusion criteria and were subsequently reviewed.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Although those with autism have many strengths and talents, deficits in communication and social interaction can affect the formation of healthy adult relationships, including friendships and romantic relationships. In addition to social challenges, a lack of education regarding safe and healthy relationships can put an individual with autism at risk.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>It is imperative that that individuals with autism, their families, and health care professionals are educated about the barriers and able to access educational resources and specialized curricula on this topic.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/1078390320949923","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,18]],"date-time":"2020-08-18T03:20:26Z","timestamp":1597720826000},"page":"405-414","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["Healthy Intimate Relationships and the Adult With Autism"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"27","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1263-1462","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Amanda","family":"Girardi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Amanda Girardi, MS, RN, Harford Community College, Bel Air, MD, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mary Sharon","family":"Curran","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mary Sharon Curran, MS, RN, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Briana L.","family":"Snyder","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Briana L. Snyder, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,8,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"bibr1-1078390320949923","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596"},{"key":"bibr2-1078390320949923","volume-title":"Making sense of sex: A forthright guide to puberty, sex, and relationships for people with Asperger\u2019s syndrome","author":"Attwood S.","year":"2008"},{"key":"bibr3-1078390320949923","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ballan M. S., Freyer M. B. (2017). Autism spectrum disorder, adolescence, and sexuality education: Suggested interventions for mental health professionals. 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