10.5.0 Sexuality
Louisiana Statewide Transition Project and Louisiana: Healthy and Ready to Work Fact Sheet Series
	6/8/99

I. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Sexuality is a natural part of life. For all adolescents, the transition to adulthood involves deeper, more personal relationships. Sexual relationships are no exception. Increasing community inclusion of adolescents and young adults with disabilities has opened the doors for new experiences and choice-making opportunities. By having open and informative discussions about sexuality with young adults, families and service providers can help them have healthy and fulfilling adult relationships.

II. KEY POINTS

Humans are sexual beings, regardless of the presence of a disability or illness. Unfortunately, society often denies the sexuality of individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses. A lack of information can result in unwanted pregnancy and increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Decreased opportunity to interact with both same and opposite sex peers can leave young adults vulnerable to sexual exploitation and victimization. By discussing these issues, and by supporting young adults in relationships, families and service providers can help young adults learn how to have successful, fulfilling adult relationships.

When considering the sexuality of young adults with physical disabilities, it is important to remember that, despite the loss of physical function, the physical and emotional aspects of sexuality continue to be important. When the young adult has a cognitive disability, experiences and situations that differ from typical experiences of adolescents and young adults may affect social and personal development. For example, segregated educational settings and limited inclusion in typical community activities can contribute to the development of socially inappropriate behaviors. These experiences can also contribute to an inability to distinguish between public and private behaviors (STD Services, 1999).

While recognizing young adults with disabilities as individuals with sexual feelings, needs, and identities, families and service providers should strive to see them in the total context of human relationships. All young adults with disabilities want to have friendships and emotional relationships, to love and be loved. In order to help young adults prepare for healthy, safe, and fulfilling adult relationships, families and service providers can facilitate opportunities for young adults to learn about sex, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, safe sex, and other issues regarding sexuality. They can also support young adults when they are considering marriage and having a family (The Arc, 1999). By discussing these and other issues relating to personal relationships and sexuality, young adults can be given the information needed to help make informed decisions.

III. ROLES/NEXT STEPS

Students/Young Adults:

Young adults should be active members of their IEP teams. By being involved in all planning activities and meetings, they can assure that their wishes are heard and acted upon. More specifically, young adults should think about their personal relationships, and ask themselves questions such as: Do I want to date? Would I like a boyfriend or girlfriend? Would I like to get married one day? Young adults should make these wishes known to their families and others supporting them.

Young adults must recognize that adult responsibilities come with adult relationships. They should find a trusted adult to talk to about their relationships and the many ups and downs associated with them. By taking things slowly and talking about issues that arise, young adults are better prepared to make major decisions regarding their personal relationships.

Young adults should pursue opportunities to expand their social circles. By taking part in social activities within their communities, young adults can get the social experience needed in order to have successful, fulfilling adult relationships.

Families:

Although it can be difficult, families must address sexuality issues with young adults. Families should encourage participation in activities with other young adults at school and in the community so that a variety of relationships may be formed.

Families can consult physicians, social workers, and other agency personnel for assistance with addressing issues related to sexuality, including discussions about sexual activity, birth control options, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Families should seek information specific to adults with disabilities and sexuality. There are resources available through parent groups, advocacy groups, and on the Internet that will help families explore this issue. By becoming informed, families may be better prepared to support young adults in their personal relationships.

Most importantly, families must recognize young adults as young adults with needs for close personal relationships. By being open to frank discussions about adult relationships, families can support young adults in their journey towards healthy adult relationships.

Agencies:

Agency personnel must begin to address issues related to sexuality for young adults with disabilities. Physicians must be able to answer questions related to the impact of disability on fertility, birth control options, and reproductive choices. There must also be more linkages between service providers that address family planning issues, and those who understand issues imposed by disabilities.

Agency personnel must also help foster relationships between young adults and their peers. By supporting opportunities for young adults to be included in social activities within the community, service providers can ensure that the skills needed for successful adult relationships are learned.

Interpersonal relationships are a vital part of life. Local Education Agencies (LEAs) should make sure that relationship and sexuality issues are discussed during transition planning in order to better prepare young adults to engage in healthy, safe, and fulfilling adult relationships.

IV. RESOURCES/CONTACTS

The Arc of the United States

500 East Border Street, Suite 300

Arlington, Texas 76010

(817) 261-6003 (Voice)

(817) 277-3491 (FAX)

(817) 277-0553 TDD

Internet: http://www.thearc.org

Families Helping Families Regional Offices:

Acadiana: 800-378-9854

Bayouland: 800-331-5571

At the Crossroads: 800-259-7200

Greater Baton Rouge: 888-511-5299

Greater New Orleans: 800-766-7736

Northeast LA: 888-300-1320

Northshore: 800-383-8700

Northwest LA: 888-989-0315

Southwest LA: 800-894-6558

PACER Center

4826 Chicago Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55417-1098

(612) 827-2966, Voice

(612) 827-7770, TDD

Internet: http://www.pacer.org

V. REFERENCES

Cole, Sandra S. & Cole, Theodore M. (1993). Sexuality, disability, and reproductive issues through the lifespan. Sexuality and Disability, 11(3), ( pp. 189-205).

STD Services (1999). Information for students: Disability and sexuality. Adelaide, South Australia: Department of Human Services. [Available via Internet at: www.stdservices.on.net/std/social_aspects/disability.htm]

The Arc (1999). Position statement on sexuality. Arlington, TX: The Arc of the United States. [Available via Internet at: www.thearc.org/posits/sex.html]