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Add to FavoritesBirth control for autistic teens should be a viable option for parents and doctors to consider. As the mother of a cognitively impaired daughter, I know the worries that can result in this decision and the criticisms that can come from it!
Teenage Pregnancy
Teenage pregnancy is a serious problem that stems from the difference between biological adulthood and cultural adulthood. At puberty, biologically speaking, a human reaches adulthood. They develop the same biological urges as any adult, including the needs to experience sexual stimulation and to pair with another human. Unfortunately, by societal standards, these biological adults still have many years of development ahead and without these added years of development, becoming a productive member in our complex society becomes a lot harder.
According to the Guttmacher Institute, in 2002, there were approximately 750,000 teenage pregnancies with close to 215,000 ending in abortion. The overall rate of teenage pregnancies was at its lowest level in 30 years and the abortion rate was down 50 percent from its highest level in 1988. Among just those teenagers that admitted to having intercourse, the level of teenage pregnancies declined a staggering 28 percent.
One of the possible reasons for this decline is the increased ease of obtaining birth control as well as better reproductive health education resources. Unfortunately, teenagers with severe autism or other cognitive problems may not understand the complexities of reproductive health and are unlikely to be able to make an informed decision regarding forms of contraception and family planning.
Menstruation Control
Another area of this debate that is often ignored is the ability to regulate the menstrual flow with oral contraceptives. Autistic girls, depending on their cognitive abilities, may or may not understand what is happening when they have their periods. For many with developmental impairments, menstruation can be a stress inducing occurrence.
By being able to regulate these menstrual flows, caregivers can be prepared. This makes hygiene issues and educational issues easier, by having time to explain what will be happening and having supplies on hand.
Personal Reflections
My daughter is just beginning her trip through puberty and I've discussed the possibility of placing her on birth control with some of the people that help care for her. I think using oral birth control pills to regulate her menstruation is in all of our best interests. I'm also worried about her making a poor choice or worse yet, being taken advantage of and then her having to accept consequences that are beyond her comprehension.
Unfortunately, the few people I have discussed this with have had varied reactions. The worst being that I was setting my daughter up to be molested! I was appalled by this point of view. I was told in no uncertain terms that as a mother, it was my responsibility to make sure my daughter was never in a position to need birth control and that by even considering such a thing, I was neglecting my duty to her.
I, of course, disagree. No parent can be everywhere, all the time. Of course, I will try to keep her from any and all harm but I do know my limitations. I think protecting her with birth control is a part of my duty to keep her as safe as possible. Unfortunately, to be honest, I am fearful of bringing it up again.
References:
http://www.guttmache r.org/pubs/2006/09/1 2/USTPstats.pdf
Learn more about this author, Valarie Juntunen.
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No
I am a women with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. I spent the first years of my life proving I am not retarded. What gives anyone the right to decide what another person should or could do with anyone's body? "Who here is God Almighty?" Not one out there can claim they are.
Having said that, if a teen can have sex, they evidentely know what they are doing. Their Autism should not be allowed to dictate rules and principles around birth control. If we as parents teach our teens to respect their bodies. and to give respect to those they are with, that would take care of this issue. We though live in a society that makes choices not for the welfare of the one in question, but what will be the easiet thing to do that helps them deal with an issue.
Now that I have dealt with my fustration with those from a closed minded society, allow me to tell you about someone I know. This is a young man who started out in life with parents who truly didn't care about him. He was locked in his room, hit, called names and thought of as retarded because he is autistic. My daughter who grew up with my disability learned to be patient and truly caring about other's. One day when on an outing my daughter and this young man met. The young man at first was very shy and withdrawn. My daughter though saw something in this young man, because he was so nice to her and she didn't understand why. Come to find out, this young man had no friends, never went to a doctor, and above all was not cared for properely or shown kindness in any way. They soon dated and she soon learned that he was dignosed with autism. She was so fond of him she paid for him to see doctors and to be tested and soon learned he has high-functioning autism. With the help of my daughter they were able to get his health cared for properly and soon the young man made heaps of progress. One year later they were married and now he is working and supporting his wife and they love each other dearly. I have gained a son-in-law with a personality that is loving and caring and kind. Yes, my son-in-law is autistic, but so what? In my personal opionin that make us privileged to have the intellegence to give him the chance he deserves to live his life to the fullest. Just because he has Autism, it does nott give me the right to make choices for him? No. True they are both not teens, yet what if Kelly was never given the chance to show this world what his s true intellegence and cababilities are?
We as a society are too egar to make choices for others, and slow to give others a chance to be all they can be. Why not put more effort in teaching all teens and young adults responsible quide lines to sex and when to have sex and when not to have sex. Teach young ones to have morals. Yes, everyone wants to play God, yet no one really follows the guidelines that God Almighty gives for the proper upbringing of our children. Maybe we need to learn more about what we as parents are teaching our children? If we take the time at a young age, then when they become teens, they have guidelines and morals to make choices and for other to reason with them. No teenager should be having sex to start with, autistic or not. my question to society is, "Does teenage sex have to do with the teenager or with the parents and society?" You be the judge? If society uses birth control on autistic teens, then what will they do with those teenager's who are suppose to be "Normal?" This is just a side step to a problem that is found with all teens and must be dealt with as a whole. Maybe the problem is not the teens or the autistic teen, but maybe the problem can be found in parents and society not taking their responsiblity. Birth control just cover a very serious problem Teen sex, not autistic teen
sex. Let's deal with the real issue, teen sex, and not put a bandaid on the issue by making those with autism that bandaid.
Learn more about this author, Judy Waller.
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