Analysis of Parents’ Attitudes toward the Marriage of Children with Autism

The problems of adults with autism, especially marriage, are one of the most challenging problems for families. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the views and attitudes of parents towards the marriage of boys and girls with autism. In this exploratory and descriptive study, the attitudes of 100 parents of children with autism over the age of 15 years in Tehran were examined using the available sampling method by conducting a researcher-made questionnaire. The findings showed that only 30 percent of parents expressed a positive attitude toward the marriage of girls and boys with autism. The participants agreed with the support of relevant organizations and associations by educating families about marriage and cohabitation of children with autism. While only 10 percent of parents believed that people with autism have no sexual desires at all, 55 percent disagreed with taking medication to control the sexual desires of individuals with autism. On the other hand, 90 percent of parents believed that sports activities should be utilized to control sexual desires in individuals with autism. Ninety percent of parents believed that individuals with autism should get married. According to the findings, despite numerous problems in the field of autism spectrum disorder, the most important of which is the lack of communication skills, half of the families opposed the marriage of people with autism spectrum disorders, but their view was that individuals with autism can marry with others. Modification of the attitudes of parents and individuals with autism as well as various segments of society is the most important step that experts, counselors, and planners should take.