Sexuality of Children and Adolescents With Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, like all children, are sexual persons. However, attention to their complex medical and functional issues often consumes time that might otherwise be invested in addressing the anatomic, physiologic, emotional, and social aspects of their developing sexuality. This report discusses issues of puberty, contraception, psychosexual development, sexual abuse, and sexuality education specific to children and adolescents with disabilities and their families. Pediatricians, in the context of the medical home, are encouraged to discuss issues of sexuality on a regular basis, ensure the privacy of each child and adolescent, promote self-care and social independence among persons with disabilities, advocate for appropriate sexuality education, and provide ongoing education for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and their families.

Development of the Children With Disabilities Algorithm

“…By using CWDA, stakeholders can explore health care quality for CWD, which is likely robust in some respects (eg, whether they receive the recommended number of well-child visits in a year), 19 yet inadequate in others (eg, whether their sexual health needs are being addressed). 4,36 If CWDA is used to examine whether CWD and non-CWD groups receive or experience differential care quality, noted differences can become the focus of investigations and interventions. …”

Providing a Primary Care Medical Home for Children and Youth With Cerebral Palsy

“…41,42 Likewise, discussions regarding sexuality, including sexual vulnerability, should begin well before the person is an adolescent. 43 Issues of guardianship and informed consent should be addressed when youth with lifelong functional dependencies approach 18 years of age. 44 …”

The views of special education and rehabilitation center staff about sexual education of persons with disabilities.

“…Engelli bireylerin cinsel yaşamları ve cinsel eğitimleri genelde bilinmeyen ve gözardı edilen bir konudur 6 . Ayrıca engelli bireylerin cinselliği konusunda bakım veren kurum personelinin ve anne-babaların engelli bireylerin cinselliğine olumsuz tavır takınmaları, engelli bireylerde cinsel bilgi yetersizliğine ve kötü sonuçlara yol açmaktadır 7 . Bu nedenle engelli bireylerin cinsel eğitimlerinde, hem ruhsal hem de sosyal olarak gelişim göstermeleri ve topluma uyum sağlamaları için düzenli takip ve eğitim programları ile, kurumda çalışan personele büyük görevler düşmektedir 7 .…”