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How to Talk About Sexuality to Young People With Disabilities
Tips for Service Providers

The following tips are meant to support group homes, schools and other services who provide sexuality information to young people with disabilities.

Consider the ways in which the disability of the young person may affect the way in which education is presented.

All children and young people need sexuality education, but children with disabilities may need specific information on how a physical disability will affect their sexuality. If the disability affects how they learn, some children may need the information to be presented in a different format.

Remember that sexuality education is not just about sex.

Information about sex is important, but effective sexuality education should include information about feelings, communication, boundaries and building relationships as well.

The environment must support the messages in the sexuality education.

Quality sexuality education includes learning to be responsible for one's body and actions. This should be reinforced by demonstrating a general respect for an individual's personal space and ability to make decisions.

Clarify your own attitudes and values.

Your role as service provider is to provide information and skills. Take time to clarify the difference between factual information and personal beliefs. Incorporate the young person's family members to provide education about values.

Preview all materials.

Look at all materials before using them for education. The resource may not be what you expected and previewing can help you prepare for possible questions. Consider whether the material is appropriate for the learning style and development age of the young person with whom you are working.

Be clear and specific.

Remember that one of the purposes of sexuality education is to clear up misunderstandings and myths. Even though it may be uncomfortable, you need to use the correct words for body parts and sexual activities.

Include sexuality issues in staff training.

Be sure that staff are prepared to deal with sexuality issues and know where to direct questions from young people. This means that staff need information on healthy sexuality as it relates to all of the young people with whom they work.

Respect the young person's need for privacy.

Remember that young people need private time to learn about themselves and time with peers to develop relationships.

Don't wait for a crisis.

Many problems with inappropriate behavior come from a lack of education about sexuality and social norms. Providing basic information about the body, the difference between healthy and abusive touch and the difference between public and private behaviors (i.e. masturbation) may reduce the incidences of harmful or embarrassing activities.

Call us again if you have more questions.

Continue to use our service as the young people with whom you work need more or different information. Also ask about our directory of service providers for a list of sexual health professionals in your area.

Sexual Health Resource Network
3644 Slocan Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5M 3E8
Phone: (604) 434-1331/ext. 335
Toll Free: 1-800-331-1533
Fax: (604) 431-7395
E-mail: alisal@wimsey.com (library)

References

Hingsburger, David (1995), Just Say Know: Understanding and Reducing the Risk of Sexual Victimization of People with Disabilities. Eastman, PQ: Divers City Press.

Kupper, L. Ambler, L. & Valdiviesco, C. (1992). "How particular disabilities affect sexuality and sexuality education." NICHY (National Information Centre for Children and Youth with disabilities) News Digest (3), 14-16.

Kupper, L. Ambler, L. & Valdiviesco, C. (1992). "The development of sexuality. "NICHY (National Information Centre for Children and Youth with disabilities) News Digest 1(3), 2-5.

McNab, Warren. (1982) "Do's and Don'ts in Teaching Sexuality Education." Health Education, November/December, 31-33.

Sexual Health Resource Network List of Products

Sexual Abuse and Young People with Disabilities Project - Summary Report. (FREE)

Kirstle's Story: Responding to Sexual Abuse Allegations Involving Children with Disabilities. ($40/copy)

Sexual Abuse Prevention for Young People with Disabilities. (FREE)

Facing Our Fears: Protecting Children with Disabilities from Sexual Abuse. ($125/copy)

Sexual Abuse Counselling for Young People with Disabilities. ($15/copy)

Promoting Sexual Health Among Young People with Disabilities: An Information Kit for Service Providers. ($12/copy)

Annotated Bibliography. (FREE)

Order Information

To order or borrow* any of these resources, contact the Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children Sexual Health Resource Network at:

3644 Slocan Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5M 3E8
Phone: 1-800-331-1533
or (604) 434-1331 ext. 335 (lower mainland)
Fax: (604) 431-7395
E-mail: alisal@wimsey.com (library)

* Materials can be borrowed from the library free of charge for a three week borrowing period.