Sexual and Reproductive Health

Professional Resources

Academic Articles

Atkinson, J., & Ward, K. (2012). The development of an assessment of interpersonal violence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 30, 301-309.

Ward, K., Atkinson, J., Smith, C., & Windsor, R. (2013). A F​riendships and D​ating Program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A formative evaluation. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 51(1), 22-32.

Ward, K., Windsor, R., & Atkinson, J. P. (2012). A process evaluation of the F​riendships and Dating Program for adults with developmental disabilities: Measuring the fidelity of program delivery. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33, 69-75.

Ward, K. M., Bosek, R. L., & Trimble, E. L. (2010). Romantic relationships and interpersonal violence among adults with developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 48(2), 89-98.

Books

STARS: Skills Training for Assertiveness, Relationship-Building, and Sexual Awareness

Relationship Building & Sexual Awareness for Kids with Autism: STARS2

Resources for Professionals

Advancing Sexual Self-Advocacy for People with Disabilities Webinar

This webinar hosted by the Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) Sexual Health Special Interest Group (SIG) addresses rights related to sexuality and provides best-practice strategies on how to advance sexual self-advocacy and empowerment among individuals with disabilities. Find a copy of the webinar presentation here.

The Birds and the Bees

The Birds and the Bees is a free curriculum developed for educators working with young adults with disabilities. The curriculum is free to use and adapt. Lessons include anatomy and reproduction, crushes, dating, power in relationships, sexual health, and gender roles.

Diverse City Press, Inc.

Diverse City Press is a small publishing company that supports the rights of individuals with disabilities. DVDs are available for purchase that highlight different areas including masturbation, preventing victimization, how to increase the self-esteem of persons with developmental disabilities, establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries, and a teaching guide about condom use.

 

The Facts of Life…and More

The Facts of Life… and More is a publication by Leslie Walker-Hirsch. This book helps guide professionals on how to educate individuals with intellectual disabilities about sexuality in a culturally competent and individualized manner. The Facts of Life…And More also provides insight to the reader on parents’ perspectives on sexuality and information on how professionals can help guide parents on how to discuss sexuality with their child.

Healthy Relationships, Sexuality and Disability: Resource Guide

This resource guide was created by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services. Adolescents with disabilities and their families and providers helped to create this guide. Topics included in the guide are: puberty and human development, puberty and human development and Autism Spectrum Disorder, social skills and relationship development, sexual orientation and identity, and sexual health and human rights.

Mandatory Reporting Guide

This guide, created by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, provides individuals with information on the signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, how individuals can make a report, and contact information for police departments, Sheriff’s, and Department of Family Services offices throughout the state of Wyoming, and community and state resources.

National Disability Rights Network

The National Disability Rights Network publication Devaluing People with Disabilities: Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights provides a discussion on the importance of individual rights in regards to medical treatment, including reproductive and sexual health, and addresses civil rights related issues surrounding the “Ashley treatment”.

Office of Adolescent Health

This office housed within the Department of Health and Human Services provides resources for adolescent health topics such as reproductive health, mental health, healthy relationships and more.

RealTalk: Improving Quality of Sexual healthcare for patients with disabilities

The Autism Self Advocacy Network has created a RealTalk Provider Toolkit. This toolkit has information on how providers can be more supportive of the sexuality of individuals with disabilities. RealTalk provides a space for young people with disabilities to discuss sexuality and relationships. RealTalk has also hosted a webinar and slides to this webinar can be found here. Follow RealTalk on Facebook here.  

Safer Sex Menu

This menu provides information to individuals on choices of sexual activity and the level of risk associated with each activity. This menu provides information on the level of risk associated with each sexual activity and whether it is no risk, no real risk, low risk, and high risk of the transmission of HIV.

Sex Ed Library

For parents and educators, this website provides lesson plans for the following topics: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, society and culture, and other resources.

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States

A resource for educators, administrators, and advocates, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States educates, advocates, and informs a wide variety of groups and individuals including schools, policymakers, communities, healthcare providers, and parents.

Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This book provides the reader with information on best practices for teaching individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The book is then divided into sex education topics and covers issues such as of gender, public vs private, puberty, hygiene, emotions, and sex.

Sexuality & Disability Consortium

The Sexuality & Disability Consortium at the Institute on Disability & Human Development offers information and resources related to sexuality and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Find videos on sexual self-advocacy and fact sheets on their resource page.

Sproutflix

Sproutflix has a large assortment of films featuring individuals with disabilities. Sprotuflix offers streams, downloads, DVDs, and playlists that can be purchased. There are several short clips highlighting relationships and romance.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Curriculums 

Sexual and Reproductive Health Curriculum Comparison

This document provides a comparison of different sexuality education curriculums. The following programs are described: Friendships & Dating Program, PEERS, STARS, FLASH, Social Signals, ESCAPE-NOW, Social and Life Skills, and Family Life and Relationships, and Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities Workshops.