Reproductive Health and Substance Use Education for Autistic Youth

We provide an update on reproductive health education (RHE) and substance use prevention education (SUPE) participation for autistic youth compared with other youth with and without individualized education plans (IEPs) and 504 plans. The 800 000 autistic youth served by the US special education system need education to make informed decisions about reproductive health and substance use.

Data were from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2012, a survey designed to yield nationally representative estimates of the experiences of US youth. Autistic youth (n = 390) who received RHE and SUPE were compared with youth with all other IEP classifications (n = 4420), with a 504 plan (n = 350), and with no IEP or 504 plan (n = 980). All youth were ≥14 years old and able to self-report on a survey. Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed for each group to identify characteristics associated with RHE and SUPE receipt.

Autistic youth reported a significantly lower rate of RHE (47.4%) and SUPE (49.6%) inclusion versus students with no IEP or 504 plan (59.2% and 57.4%, respectively). Autistic girls were more than twice as likely to report RHE receipt than autistic boys (55.1% vs 45.9%). For autistic youth, no markers for receipt of SUPE were identified.

Autistic youth are underserved when it comes to school-based RHE and SUPE, potentially undermining self-determination and leading to poorer lifespan health trajectories. Research and policy advocacy are needed to ensure that these youth have access to RHE and SUPE.