Learning about bodies and personal boundaries: children with autism
A guide to share with parents and carers of children with autism, with practical tips for talking about talking about bodies, private and public spaces, personal boundaries and unwanted touch.
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Hosted on https://raisingchildren.net.au/ • Opens in a new tab
Published on 2023
How this resource can help
Use this resource to
Help children with autism to learn about their own bodies
Support parents and carers to have conversations about private body parts, personal boundaries, and ‘good’ and ‘bad’ touch
Help parents and carers to support their child to express discomfort with unwanted touch
It covers
How to talk about bodies, body parts, and the concepts of ‘public’ and ‘private’
Explaining boundaries and the idea of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ touch
Ways to support children with autism to express their boundaries
More information
This resource is available in Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Hakha Chin, Karen, Persian, simplified Chinese, Swahili, Tamil and Vietnamese.
Open this resource
Hosted on https://raisingchildren.net.au/ • Opens in a new tab
If you are a parent or carer
You’re in the right place! This is a guide written for you – it can help you support your child’s understanding of body parts and personal boundaries. If you’re worried about something specific, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Last reviewed by Together We Can: 10 July 2026
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Problematic and harmful sexual behaviour affects children, families, and communities. Understanding it clearly is the first step toward effective prevention, recognition, and response.
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Parents and carers
If you’re a parent or carer seeking information or worrying about a behaviour, you're not alone. Find resources to help you understand child sexual development, support safety, and respond to concerns about sexual behaviour.
Children and young people
It’s normal to have questions about your body, feelings, sex and relationships. If you’re a young person looking for information – head here. We’ve got information just for you.