Autistic Teens Learning About Sexuality (ATLAS) first started by providing resources for caregivers of autistic youth regarding sexual health topics. Currently, ATLAS is working to establish an engaging, accessible, and supportive environment for autistic and neurodivergent youth and young adults to learn about sexual and reproductive health through online gaming.
the innovation
ATLAS is a web-based sexual health education resource that deeply considers the learning needs and experiences of autistic youth. This multimedia resource shares plain-language sexual health information through interactive games, real-life scenarios, and personalized learning paths.
why is this important to your team?
In schools, if sex education is provided, it is often not tailored to the learning needs and experiences of autistic students. Caregivers of autistic youth also frequently report that they do not feel equipped to share information about sex with the autistic youth in their lives. ATLAS aims to address this gap by creating accessible, inclusive sex education resources specifically designed for autistic youth, incorporating diverse formats and perspectives to better serve individuals with various identities and experiences.
“Involvement with the Breakthrough Accelerator program will significantly advance our ideas and products by providing access to a collaborative, immersive environment where we work across cohorts and with autistic youth as thought partners.”
the team
Working effectively together since 2021, the ATLAS team shares a passion for advancing equity in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The team holds interdisciplinary expertise in the fields of psychology, education, public health, and disability advocacy.
- Jaye Capretto (she/her), University of Oklahoma, Project Lead
- Gale Hann (they/them), University of Oklahoma, Team Member
- Jenny Sperling (she/they), University of Oklahoma, Team Member
