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By Jane Hauser November 18, 2019 NESCA Notes 2019
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3/21/22, 1:00 PM Why Sexuality Education For People With Developmental Disabilities Is So Important – NESCA
Sexual education is a protective factor. Educating people with disabilities about sexuality is a protective factor for
them, because it provides the knowledge they need to protect themselves against sexual crimes, unprotected sex,
unwanted pregnancies and unhealthy relationships. Information is power.
Understanding sexuality will not encourage your children to have sex. Giving individuals with developmental
disabilities sexuality education will not put the idea to embark on sexual explorations in their heads. Giving them
access to sexuality education gives them information and ultimately the power to make educated choices about
their bodies.
People with disabilities are significantly more likely to be a victim of a sexual or violent crime than their
non-disabled peers. Understanding consent and sexual advocacy empowers people to protect themselves from
being the predator or the prey by learning about concepts, such as, “my body, my choice” and “no means no.”
Much of the general population learns about sexuality and relationships from friends. This means that some
of the information they receive about sexuality is not always accurate. People with disabilities may not have as
many friendships as their peers without disabilities. Those with developmental disabilities tend to be more isolated,
so they do not have the opportunity to learn from friends. Often, they learn about sexuality information from parents
and television. Another concern is the ease with which the internet provides sexual information. Access to
pornography and posting pictures can be confusing to a person with a disability who doesn’t understand the legal,
privacy and employment implications, putting them at even greater risk. So, as parents, it’s very important to give
accurate information or seek out professionals who can work with your child.
Sexuality education does not teach sexual values. Parents are the ones who should be teaching their children
with and without disabilities about their values around sex. Sexuality education focuses on teaching accurate
information in a format that students can access and understand. It is then incumbent upon those students to
develop their own values.
Because of the nature of some disabilities, picking up on social cues is challenging. So much of relationships
is understanding verbal and non-verbal social cues, so many people with disabilities can struggle with identifying
healthy relationships. It makes it easier for others to take advantage of them, instead of enjoying a relationship with
both partners on equal footing. Therefore, it is important to teach social skills as part of sexuality education.
NESCA has personnel trained to provide sexuality education training to parents and to teens and young adults with
disabilities.
Home Training can
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DiGregorio Karlon at (603)818-8526 to set up a consultation.
Reference:
Careers
Elevatus Training: GULP! Talking with Your Kids About Sexuality Newsletter, Volume 4, Number 1, May 2003
Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents (NESCA) is a pediatric neuropsychology
practice and integrative treatment center with offices in Newton and Plainville, Massachusetts, and Londonderry,
New Hampshire, serving clients from preschool through young adulthood and their families. For more information,
please email info@nesca-newton.com or call 617-658-9800.
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