ERIC Number: EJ1289757
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1554-6128
EISSN: N/A
Recommendations to Improve Accessibility of Sexuality Education for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Study
Schmidt, Elizabeth K.; Robek, Natalie; Dougherty, Megan; Hand, Brittany N.; Havercamp, Susan; Sommerich, Carolyn; Weaver, Lindy; Darragh, Amy
American Journal of Sexuality Education, v16 n1 p38-56 2021
Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, sexuality education (SE) is considered a human right and aims to increase understanding, decrease abuse, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. Yet, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities are less likely to receive or SE is primarily focused on safety and abuse prevention, despite best practice being comprehensive, inclusive, and positive approaches to SE. Methods: We performed a sub-analysis from a larger study to identify recommendations to improve accessibility of SE using interviews and focus groups with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, parents, healthcare providers, and educators. Results: All participants recommended using educational guides, direct, explicit instruction, videos, visuals, and universal design for learning (UDL). Participants also recommended a variety of settings, including one-on-one, group, a combination, or technology. Conclusions: Educational guides, visuals, videos, UDL, and direct, explicit instruction should be utilized when providing SE to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Settings and modalities should be determined dependent on the individuals' preferences, abilities, and fit. Further, worksheets and handouts may be useful in educational and healthcare settings, while role playing and modeling may be useful in educational, community-based and/or home settings, and parents require additional education and training to support their children.
Descriptors: Sex Education, Access to Education, Intellectual Disability, Developmental Disabilities, Equal Education, Parent Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Allied Health Personnel, Attitudes, Teaching Methods, Educational Environment, Guides, Visual Aids, Video Technology, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Student Needs, Worksheets, Learning Modalities, Adolescents, Young Adults, Role Playing, Modeling (Psychology), Interpersonal Communication, Social Support Groups
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A