Relationships and Sex
Relationships
Relate offers help with family life and parenting. You might be a parent worried about your child's behaviour or how a divorce may impact on your family, or you might be part of step-family and need help adjusting, or you may be arguing with parents or siblings and need support communicating with each other.
Brothers and Sisters with Autism
Brothers, sisters and autism: A parent's guide to supporting siblings - Having children with and without autism comes with a unique set of challenges. You’re not only faced with doing what’s best for your child with autism, but also with paying attention to the needs of any brothers or sisters. No matter what you call them (neurotypical, typically developing, normal, etc.), these siblings are often dealing with the same struggles and feelings that you do as parents. They, too, feel a sense of loss, confusion, and frustration – all at a time before they’ve had a chance to develop coping skills. These future advocates, potential caretakers, and lifelong friends will establish the longest lasting relationship with your child on the spectrum. Therefore, they need guidance and support from the start. You’re likely to find that supporting your children without autism will prove to be a long-term investment in your child with autism.
The topics addressed in this resource include:
- Strategies and resources to help teach your children about their sibling with autism
- Ways to address fairness, share attention, and recognize differences between your children
- Complicated feelings that may come up during family outings, holidays, play dates, and other special events
- Difficult emotions and situations that your children without autism may experience, including negative feelings and violent behaviour
- Ways to facilitate bonding, getting along, and time apart
- Testimonials from other autism parents
Coercive Control
In September 2020, the government made learning about coercive control at school compulsory. The difference between a healthy relationship and an abusive one isn't always obvious - especially when the lasting impact isn't as visible as a bruise - but it can be just as damaging.
Sex
Start Talking - RSE a guide for foster care - This resource is designed to support foster carers (also applicable to parents) to have positive conversations about relationships and sex education with the children they care for. It has been informed by a group of foster carers and care experienced young people, who took part in the ‘Start Talking’ project, which was a partnership between The Fostering Network and Sex Education Forum.
Supporting Positive Sexual Behaviour - have conversations with a child about what positive sexual activity involves. Start having these conversations as early as your child learns about sex.
Talking to your teenager about sex - NHS choices offers a few ideas on how to start the conversation.
Everyone’s Invited are a movement committed to eradicating rape culture. Trigger warning for the survivor testimonies: Rape and sexual assault abuse (physical, mental, emotional, verbal, sexual), eating disorders, self-harm, suicide or suicidal ideation, violence, child abuse and paedophilia.
Help Young People Build Resilience to Porn
Free courses for parents about how to talk with kids and teens about porn and help young people thrive despite hypersexualized culture.
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