Sexual health & Autism in the Middle East with Dr Asmahan Saleh Khalil
Dec 13, 2024
Listen on: Apple│Spotify│YouTube
Talking about sexual health is hard enough, but in the Middle East, it’s a whole new level of taboo—especially when it comes to individuals with autism and disabilities. In this compelling episode, I sit down with Dr. Asmahan Saleh Khalil, a behavioral therapist and researcher, to break the silence and dive into this crucial topic.
Dr. Asmahan shares her experience addressing issues like masturbation, sexual abuse, menstruation, and more in a way that’s culturally sensitive yet powerfully impactful. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or professional, this episode will challenge you to think differently about sexual health education and why it’s not just important but necessary.
Key Takeaways:
- The Cultural Taboo: Why sexual health education is under-researched in the Arab world and how this gap impacts families.
- Safeguarding Strategies: Practical, preventative steps to ensure children and adolescents are safe from harm—whether from others or themselves.
- Teaching Privacy Early: How starting conversations about privacy from a young age can make adolescence smoother and safer.
- Breaking the “Cliff Effect”: What happens when autistic adolescents age out of services and why vocational and social programs are critical for their growth.
- Cultural Sensitivity in Education: How to adapt resources and conversations to fit a family’s values and culture.
This episode is packed with raw, honest stories—from a homeless man in Paris to a mother navigating her autistic child’s first period—that reveal the transformative power of education and early intervention.
Listen on: Apple│Spotify│YouTube
