Sexuality/Reproductive issue of learning disabilities: “Live life, stay safe"

Sex education is the instruction of issues relating to human sexuality, including emotional relations and responsibilities, human sexual anatomy, sexual activity, sexual reproduction, age of consent, reproductive health, reproductive rights, safe sex, birth control and sexual abstinence. It provides information about the differences between male and female thus help them to develop responsibility for their bodies and actions as well as know-how and when to seek help. It is important in developing one’s values and interpersonal skills. Sex education also important for children with disabilities as they are more likely to become victims of sexual abuse compared to those without disabilities. With this knowledge, a person with disabilities can defend themselves and know how to seek help from others.

Q1, What are the sexuality issues among individuals with LD?

Sexuality Issues

The individual with learning disability is unable to interpret their interpersonal issues in the social environment. In will lead to negative outcomes of their sexual expression.

Persons with LD are over-represented as both victims and perpetrators of sexual crime such as sexual abuse, inappropriate sexual behaviour and sexual exploitation. Children and teens with LD are 3-4 times more likely to be sexually abused than those without disabilities. They are more easily manipulated by others as most of them are dependent on others for their daily needs and have fewer opportunities to acquire information compared to normal people.

People with learning disabilities are taught by family members or services provider about how to communicate their identity correctly, which is a critical aspect of social skills. They need to understand Sexual education, especially self-protective techniques, to protect themselves and deter others from using them(Melrose, S., Dusome, D., Simpson, J., Crocker, C., Athens, 2015)

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Q2, How can parents engage in better parenting on sex education?

Parents' Role

There's a misconception that talking about sex would inspire a child to try sex too early or before they grow to do it. Thus, many parents would rather leave it to school. Same with the parent of children with LD. The issues of personal and sexual intercourse are not limited to childhood and adolescence but their whole life. Nonetheless, parents start from the very beginning to lay the foundations for the successful passage of their child into adult life.

Parents should give a positive message on sexuality by seeing our children as important people, by meeting high expectations, protecting them, and encouraging them to care about their bodies. Parents to begin education about sexuality, self-hood, value and worth" a child requires the following underpinning knowledge: "I am loved. I am welcome here. My body is mine” and say 'no' to uncomfortable touch.

When they are in the age of 2 to 9 years old, parents should tell them why and boy and girl are different from the aspect of body parts (including private parts). Then, tell them how the baby born. This could he;p them to shape their personality in term of their dressing, role as well as their behaviour in public and private places. When they are in the stage of early adolescent (10-12 years old), there are some challenges they need to know such as menstruation, wet dream, pregnancy and others. The appropriate age for them to know sexual health is 10-15 years old. They need to know the order and sign of maturation. Like, occur of pubic hair, changes in some of the body parts. They need to know the boundaries between same and different sex and say ‘no’ to inappropriate touch. In late adolescent parents need to teach them about unsafe sex, STD, HIV and AIDS as well as family planning.

Moreover, parents also need to give some space and privacy for their child no matter with or without LD. For example, parents need to knock the door before entering their room; respect them by giving them freedom in dressing; listen and answer their problems. Parents also need to avoid doing some behaviour with children who start to enter puberty, for example kissing and hugging them.

In conclusion, sex education should treat sexual development as a normal, natural part of human development no matter for people with or without learning disability.

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Reference

Wood, A. (2004). Sexuality and relationships education for people with down syndrome. Retrieved from https://library.down-syndrome.org/en-gb/news-update/04/2/sexuality-relationships-education-people-down-syndrome/

Melrose, S., Dusome, D., Simpson, J., Crocker, C., Athens, E. (2015). Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities & Mental Illness: what cargivers need to know,