{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,6]],"date-time":"2026-10-06T20:02:22Z","timestamp":1791316942475,"version":"4.3.1"},"reference-count":30,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,28]]},"DOI":"10.7759\/cureus.102518","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,29]],"date-time":"2026-01-29T05:15:46Z","timestamp":1769663746000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Puberty and Sex Education Challenges in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mixed-Methods Evidence From Lebanon"],"prefix":"10.7759","author":[{"given":"Issa","family":"Almoussawi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hiba","family":"Barakat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Zaynab","family":"Ghrayeb","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Fatima","family":"Dagher","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hussein M","family":"Ziab","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596","article-title":"Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5TM","author":"American Psychiatric Association","year":"2022","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc., Arlington (VA); 2022. 10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/20473869.2018.1446704","article-title":"A qualitative study of mothers' experiences of supporting the sexual development of their sons with autism and an accompanying intellectual disability","volume":"64","author":"Pryde R","year":"2018","unstructured":"Pryde R, Jahoda A. A qualitative study of mothers' experiences of supporting the sexual development of their sons with autism and an accompanying intellectual disability. Int J Dev Disabil. 2018, 64:166-74. 10.1080\/20473869.2018.1446704","journal-title":"Int J Dev Disabil"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10803-013-1985-6","article-title":"Being a girl in a boys' world: investigating the experiences of girls with autism spectrum disorders during adolescence","volume":"44","author":"Cridland EK","year":"2014","unstructured":"Cridland EK, Jones SC, Caputi P, Magee CA. Being a girl in a boys' world: investigating the experiences of girls with autism spectrum disorders during adolescence. J Autism Dev Disord. 2014, 44:1261-74. 10.1007\/s10803-013-1985-6","journal-title":"J Autism Dev Disord"},{"key":"ref4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/13623613221147396","article-title":"Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in a large pediatric primary care network","volume":"27","author":"Wallis KE","year":"2023","unstructured":"Wallis KE, Adebajo T, Bennett AE, Drye M, Gerdes M, Miller JS, Guthrie W. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in a large pediatric primary care network. Autism. 2023, 27:1840-6. 10.1177\/13623613221147396","journal-title":"Autism"},{"key":"ref5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/eip.12265","article-title":"Inappropriate sexual behaviour in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: what education is recommended and why","volume":"10","author":"Beddows N","year":"2016","unstructured":"Beddows N, Brooks R. Inappropriate sexual behaviour in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: what education is recommended and why. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2016, 10:282-9. 10.1111\/eip.12265","journal-title":"Early Interv Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpag.2021.03.008","article-title":"Preparing for puberty in girls with special needs: a cohort study of caregiver concerns and patient outcomes","volume":"34","author":"Fei YF","year":"2021","unstructured":"Fei YF, Ernst SD, Dendrinos ML, Quint EH. Preparing for puberty in girls with special needs: a cohort study of caregiver concerns and patient outcomes. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2021, 34:471-6. 10.1016\/j.jpag.2021.03.008","journal-title":"J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol"},{"key":"ref7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S2352-4642(18)30022-1","article-title":"The age of adolescence","volume":"2","author":"Sawyer SM","year":"2018","unstructured":"Sawyer SM, Azzopardi PS, Wickremarathne D, Patton GC. The age of adolescence. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2018, 2:223-8. 10.1016\/S2352-4642(18)30022-1","journal-title":"Lancet Child Adolesc Health"},{"key":"ref8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijedro.2022.100215","article-title":"Stigma, gendered care work and sex education: mothers\u2019 experiences of raising autistic adolescents sons in socially conservative societies","volume":"3","author":"Daghustani W","year":"2022","unstructured":"Daghustani W, MacKenzie A. Stigma, gendered care work and sex education: mothers\u2019 experiences of raising autistic adolescents sons in socially conservative societies. Int J Educ Res Open. 2022, 3:100215. 10.1016\/j.ijedro.2022.100215","journal-title":"Int J Educ Res Open"},{"key":"ref9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3109\/09540269009028274","article-title":"Autism: a specific cognitive disorder of \u201cmind-blindness\u201d","volume":"2","author":"Baron-Cohen S","year":"1990","unstructured":"Baron-Cohen S. Autism: a specific cognitive disorder of \u201cmind-blindness\u201d. Int Rev Psychiatry. 1990, 2:81-90. 10.3109\/09540269009028274","journal-title":"Int Rev Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.35516\/edu.v49i4.3352","article-title":"Changes and challenges of puberty in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"49","author":"Hamdan MA","year":"2022","unstructured":"Hamdan MA. Changes and challenges of puberty in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Dirasat Educ Sci. 2022, 49:447-58. 10.35516\/edu.v49i4.3352","journal-title":"Dirasat Educ Sci"},{"key":"ref11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11195-017-9477-9","article-title":"Autism spectrum disorder, adolescence, and sexuality education: suggested interventions for mental health professionals","volume":"35","author":"Ballan MS","year":"2017","unstructured":"Ballan MS, Freyer MB. Autism spectrum disorder, adolescence, and sexuality education: suggested interventions for mental health professionals. Sex Disabil. 2017, 35:261-73. 10.1007\/s11195-017-9477-9","journal-title":"Sex Disabil"},{"key":"ref12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10803-018-3782-8","article-title":"Supporting minimally verbal autistic girls with intellectual disabilities through puberty: perspectives of parents and educators","volume":"50","author":"Cummins C","year":"2020","unstructured":"Cummins C, Pellicano E, Crane L. Supporting minimally verbal autistic girls with intellectual disabilities through puberty: perspectives of parents and educators. J Autism Dev Disord. 2020, 50:2439-48. 10.1007\/s10803-018-3782-8","journal-title":"J Autism Dev Disord"},{"key":"ref13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10803-006-0159-1","article-title":"Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder","volume":"37","author":"Hellemans H","year":"2007","unstructured":"Hellemans H, Colson K, Verbraeken C, Vermeiren R, Deboutte D. Sexual behavior in high-functioning male adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2007, 37:260-9. 10.1007\/s10803-006-0159-1","journal-title":"J Autism Dev Disord"},{"key":"ref14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/004005990904200105","article-title":"Sociosexuality education for persons with autism spectrum disorders using principles of applied behavior analysis","volume":"42","author":"Wolfe PS","year":"2009","unstructured":"Wolfe PS, Condo B, Hardaway E. Sociosexuality education for persons with autism spectrum disorders using principles of applied behavior analysis. Teach Except Child. 2009, 42:50-61. 10.1177\/004005990904200105","journal-title":"Teach Except Child"},{"key":"ref15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2022.104344","article-title":"Investigating the challenges of teaching sex education to autistic learners: a qualitative exploration of teachers' experiences","volume":"131","author":"Bloor D","year":"2022","unstructured":"Bloor D, Ballantyne C, Gillespie-Smith K, Wilson C, Hendry G. Investigating the challenges of teaching sex education to autistic learners: a qualitative exploration of teachers' experiences. Res Dev Disabil. 2022, 131:104344. 10.1016\/j.ridd.2022.104344","journal-title":"Res Dev Disabil"},{"key":"ref16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.17977\/um005v3i12019p074","article-title":"Sex education for autistic adolescents","volume":"3","author":"Ismiarti RD","year":"2019","unstructured":"Ismiarti RD, Yusuf M, Rohmad Z. Sex education for autistic adolescents. ICSAR. 2019, 3:74-78. 10.17977\/um005v3i12019p074","journal-title":"ICSAR"},{"key":"ref17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/13645570701401305","article-title":"Sampling knowledge: the hermeneutics of snowball sampling in qualitative research","volume":"11","author":"Noy C","year":"2008","unstructured":"Noy C. Sampling knowledge: the hermeneutics of snowball sampling in qualitative research. Int J Soc Res Methodol. 2008, 11:327-44. 10.1080\/13645570701401305","journal-title":"Int J Soc Res Methodol"},{"key":"ref18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4018\/978-1-7998-2987-4.ch005","article-title":"Enhancing sexual awareness in children with autism spectrum disorder: a case study report","author":"Plexousakis S","year":"2020","unstructured":"Plexousakis S, Georgiadi M, Halkiopoulos C, Gkintoni E, Kourkoutas E, Roumeliotou V. Enhancing sexual awareness in children with autism spectrum disorder: a case study report. Cases on Teaching Sexuality Education to Individuals With Autism. Whitby PS (ed): IGI Global Scientific Publishing, Palmdale (PA); 2020. 79-98. 10.4018\/978-1-7998-2987-4.ch005"},{"key":"ref19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.21105\/joss.03522","article-title":"Taguette: open-source qualitative research tool","volume":"6","author":"Rampin R","year":"2021","unstructured":"Rampin R, Rampin C. Taguette: open-source qualitative research tool. J Open Source Softw. 2021, 6:3522. 10.21105\/joss.03522","journal-title":"J Open Source Softw"},{"key":"ref20","article-title":"Doing a thematic analysis: a practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars","volume":"3","author":"Maguire M","year":"2017","unstructured":"Maguire M, Delahunt B. Doing a thematic analysis: a practical, step-by-step guide for learning and teaching scholars. All Irel J High Educ. 2017, 3:3351.","journal-title":"All Irel J High Educ"},{"key":"ref21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","article-title":"Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups","volume":"19","author":"Tong A","year":"2007","unstructured":"Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): a 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care. 2007, 19:349-57. 10.1093\/intqhc\/mzm042","journal-title":"Int J Qual Health Care"},{"key":"ref22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1258\/jhsrp.2007.007074","article-title":"The quality of mixed methods studies in health services research","volume":"13","author":"O'Cathain A","year":"2008","unstructured":"O'Cathain A, Murphy E, Nicholl J. The quality of mixed methods studies in health services research. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2008, 13:92-8. 10.1258\/jhsrp.2007.007074","journal-title":"J Health Serv Res Policy"},{"key":"ref23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jora.12539","article-title":"Insight into informant discrepancies regarding psychosexual functioning of adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder","volume":"30","author":"Dekker LP","year":"2020","unstructured":"Dekker LP, Visser K, van der Vegt EJ, et al.. Insight into informant discrepancies regarding psychosexual functioning of adolescents with and without autism spectrum disorder. J Res Adolesc. 2020, 30:487-501. 10.1111\/jora.12539","journal-title":"J Res Adolesc"},{"key":"ref24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1005567030442","article-title":"Sexuality and adolescents with autism","volume":"18","author":"Koller R","year":"2000","unstructured":"Koller R. Sexuality and adolescents with autism. Sex Disabil. 2000, 18:125-35. 10.1023\/A:1005567030442","journal-title":"Sex Disabil"},{"key":"ref25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/20473869.2022.2129127","article-title":"Opinions of special education teachers on inappropriate sexual behaviors in adolescents with intellectual disabilities","volume":"70","author":"Akdemir B","year":"2024","unstructured":"Akdemir B. Opinions of special education teachers on inappropriate sexual behaviors in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Int J Dev Disabil. 2024, 70:641-50. 10.1080\/20473869.2022.2129127","journal-title":"Int J Dev Disabil"},{"key":"ref26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/feduc.2023.1150531","article-title":"Challenges of sex education for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder from the Saudi family\u2019s perspective","volume":"8","author":"Shakuri MA","year":"2023","unstructured":"Shakuri MA, Alzahrani HM. Challenges of sex education for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder from the Saudi family\u2019s perspective. Front Educ. 2023, 8:10.3389\/feduc.2023.1150531","journal-title":"Front Educ"},{"key":"ref27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/215416471004500210","article-title":"Sexuality education for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: critical issues and decision making guidelines","volume":"45","author":"Travers J","year":"2010","unstructured":"Travers J, Tincani M. Sexuality education for individuals with autism spectrum disorders: critical issues and decision making guidelines. Educ Train Autism Dev Disabil. 2010, 45:284-93. 10.1177\/215416471004500210","journal-title":"Educ Train Autism Dev Disabil"},{"key":"ref28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.vaccine.2012.10.120","article-title":"Sexuality and sexual health: constructs and expressions in the extended Middle East and North Africa","volume":"31","author":"El-Kak F","year":"2013","unstructured":"El-Kak F. Sexuality and sexual health: constructs and expressions in the extended Middle East and North Africa. Vaccine. 2013, 31:45-50. 10.1016\/j.vaccine.2012.10.120","journal-title":"Vaccine"},{"key":"ref29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/16549716.2023.2228112","article-title":"Perspectives of health workers engaging in task shifting to deliver health care in low-and-middle-income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis","volume":"16","author":"Coales K","year":"2023","unstructured":"Coales K, Jennings H, Afaq S, Arsh A, Bhatti M, Siddiqui F, Siddiqi N. Perspectives of health workers engaging in task shifting to deliver health care in low-and-middle-income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Glob Health Action. 2023, 16:2228112. 10.1080\/16549716.2023.2228112","journal-title":"Glob Health Action"},{"key":"ref30","article-title":"","author":"United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs","year":"2025","unstructured":"United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. Beltran LM (ed): United Nations, New York (NY); 2025. https:\/\/unstats.un.org\/sdgs\/report\/2025\/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-2025.pdf."}],"container-title":["Cureus"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.cureus.com\/articles\/457944-puberty-and-sex-education-challenges-in-adolescents-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-mixed-methods-evidence-from-lebanon","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,29]],"date-time":"2026-01-29T05:15:47Z","timestamp":1769663747000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.cureus.com\/articles\/457944-puberty-and-sex-education-challenges-in-adolescents-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-mixed-methods-evidence-from-lebanon"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,28]]},"references-count":30,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.7759\/cureus.102518","relation":{},"ISSN":["2168-8184"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2168-8184","type":"print"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,28]]}}}