the contributing factors in gender identification in pubertal boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder
This research aimed to observe the contributing factors in gender identification in pubertal boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The paper analyzed the various steps that typical and asd children go through during psychosexual development. The article realized that a child goes through three main stages during development. The stages are the oral stage, anal stage, and the phallic stage. Analysis of the stages also raised critical issues such as the Oedipus complex and castration anxiety, which were key factors present in sexuality development. However, the study discovered that asd children similarly go through sexual development to typical children. However, their brain takes longer to develop beyond a particular stage of psychosexual development until their late-latency years. Surprisingly, their bodies mature at a faster rate than typical children do. Thus, asd children reach puberty faster compared to healthy children, but their brain takes longer to register and cope with the changes. For the achievement of this goal, some case studies were done on two pre-adolescent boys.
Based on the case studies of Santi and Lucie, both parents showed a primary concern when they began exhibiting strange behaviors with regards to their genitals. In Lucien’s case study, he began to rub his penis against hard objects and urinating seemingly out of the blue. The urination brought both stress and pleasure in that he unable to process between holding his penis for urination or pleasurable play. As for Sebastian, he experiences urination as a stressor because he always worries that his pee won’t stop and that everything hasn’t come out.
In the gender development of both Sebastian and Lucien, the rough and tumble play (RTP), a prosocial behavior whose expression and purpose vary as a function of gender, is considered. In Santi’s case, the father suffered from a physical condition that did not allow him to pick up his son and therefore, could not play the rough and tumble play. The effect of this is evident in cases such as Sebastian’s failure to identify with his father. In Lucien’s case, we observe that at the age of six, Dr. Sherkow encouraged the parents to enjoy routines in play with the son and explained that it helps in expanding his emotional and cognitive development. The development effect of this is seen when Lucien’s urination was a stressor, and the parents taught him only to touch it when urinating.
In the growth, gender, and cognitive development of both Sebastian and Lucien, we observe how both their mothers played a significant role. In Sebastian’s case, the mother’s overprotectiveness towards Sebastian seemingly affected the process of mental representation and identification of his father, which ultimately affected Sebastian’s sense of gender identity. We also see that she does not approve of the son’s sexual exploration when he stops him whenever he used to touch himself. While in Lucien’s case, the mother seems very sexual, was only concerned when Lucien was disrobing in public but allowed him to walk naked at home. She seems flirtatious with her son and allowed him to touch himself. Based on these conclusions, it is evident that both parents and practitioners who are responsible for these children play a vital role in gender development and identification with pubertal boys with ASD. We are also brought into awareness of the different activities and behaviors, which lead to their cognitive development.