“What, Why, and How” Model of Parent-Mediated Sexuality Education for Children With Intellectual Disability: An Illustrated Account

Date

2021

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Psychosexual Health

Abstract

There is a need to enable young people with ID to make informed decisions about expression of their sexuality and forming interpersonal relationships. A person-centered and collaborative approach wherein families are fully involved will ensure development of positive sexual identities and reduce risk of sexual harm. Educating parents about sexual health needs should be given as much importance as educating them about self-help-skills and adaptive functioning. Emphasis should be laid on starting as early as possible when they start teaching children about body parts and toilet training, so that eventually it will ensure smooth transition during adolescence. This approach works as a preventive and promotive strategy rather than a reactive one. It also makes it less stressful for parents during adolescence and gives clinicians an opportunity to focus on other comorbidity (if any). Therefore, assessment of sexual development should come naturally to the treating team along with evaluation of other domains such as cognitive, speech and language, motor, and emotional. This will serve as the first step toward reducing stigma surrounding the topic. More importantly, it will help to identify underlying issues and ensure appropriate development. Hence, there is a need to promote contextually relevant sexuality education.

Description

Keywords

parental attitudes, disabilities, sex education, International Resources, India, research

Citation

Sravanti, L., & Arul Jayendra Pradeep V. (2021). “What, Why, and How” Model of Parent-Mediated Sexuality Education for Children With Intellectual Disability: An Illustrated Account. Journal of Psychosexual Health, 26318318211017685.

DOI