SEXUALITY
It is important to teach human sexuality to people with developmentally disabilities primarily because each person, regardless of their mental, physical and emotional capacity, has a right to understand how to keep their own body healthy and safe. The autism spectrum population is particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse, and research has proven that sexuality education helps to reduce that risk. Effective methods for teaching human sexuality to persons with autism spectrum disorders include concrete, visual learning techniques that can be taught directly to an individual or to professionals and caregivers working with the individual, strategies for how to best communicate with adolescents and young adults on the spectrum about sexuality and ways to assess the individual’s understanding of and ability to consent to sexual relationships.
Courtesy of: Stacy Silverstein
Agency: Planned Parenthood
Website: www.pphp.org
Email: stacy.silverstein@pphp.org
Phone: 914-220-1038
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