While you may think your child is not interested in sex or having sex, the reality is that your child will learn about sex somewhere and somehow. It is best if information about sexual health – like sexual feelings and activity – comes from a trusted source like a parent or caregiver. Understanding all aspects of sexual health – including masturbation and contraception – helps youth make safer and healthier choices. This resource list includes information on birth control, different contraceptive options, information about sex, sexual activity, and masturbation for youth with IDD.
This is a webpage with modules that someone can go through to discuss sex and help facilitate internal conversations if you are ready. Further, it provides information on STI's and pregnancy.
Source: OAC (Organization for Autism Research)
This is a webpage with modules that someone can go through and learn about sex and explore why people have sex, where people have sex, talking to people about sex, and hygiene.
Source: OAC (Organization for Autism Research)
This storyboard utilizes PEC- like icons to discuss masturbation. The story board gives examples of private spaces where it is appropriate to masterbate and how to do so safely. There is a light skin tone story and a dark skin tone story to choose from.
Source: Advocate Medical Group: Adult Down Sydrome Center
This storyboard utilizes PEC- like icons to discuss masturbation. The "Story about Mastrubation for Males" resource briefly describes what masturbation is and provides examples of private spaces where it is appropriate to masturbate and cleaning up afterwards. The "Story about How to Masturbate for Males" provides more details on how to masturbate and cleaning up afterwards. There is more indepth information regarding hygiene practices. There is a light skin tone story and a dark skin tone story to choose from for both stories.
Source: Advocate Medical Group: Adult Down Sydrome Center
This resource hub, developed in Australia, is designed to help "parents of kids with ID and autism navigate a new world" as they go through puberty. The masturbation section addresses talking about masturbation with your child, appropriate places to masturbate, frequency, hygiene, and others. There are links to masturbation social stories.
Source: Planet Puberty
This short video explains that birth control is something used to prevent pregnancy. This video discusses some of he birth control methods that are available like condoms, the pill, or patch.
Source: Amaze.org
This short video covers some of the decision making process around deciding if you're ready to have sex. It provides questions one can think about like: is the other person someone you care about, do they respect you, how will it be afterward. The video provides information on protection and staying safe if having sex.
Source: Amaze.org
This is a guide discussing the different contraceptive methods including emergency contraceptive methods. This guide uses both pictures and plain language.
Source: Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership
This is a lesson plan covering contraceptive methods- abstinence, condoms, foam and the birth control pill. This could be adapted for youth with disabilities.
Source: Differing Abilities