Introduction to Sexuality and Disability

The sexuality of people with intellectual disability and/or autism has often been feared and misunderstood.  While disability rights are now entrenched in law, people with disability are still denied sexual health education, access to sexual health services and the right to have relationships and marry that the rest of society takes for granted.  People with intellectual disability and/or autism have the right to lead healthy lives and society has the responsibility to provide them with comprehensive sexual health education that gives them the tools they need to make good decisions and have healthy relationships.

This course reflects on society’s approach to sexuality and intellectual disability and/or autism and how this affects people’s lives and health outcomes.  Sessions will explore the impact of attitudes and values on the sexuality of people with intellectual disability, the balance between duty of care with dignity of risk and recognising diversity in bodies, gender and sexuality.  We also provide practical strategies and resources to support clients’ reproductive and sexual health needs across the lifespan. 

Topics include:

• Holistic approaches to sexuality
• Society and culture: messages about sexuality and disability
• Reproductive and sexual rights
• Sexual and gender diversity
• Understanding body parts
• Supporting reproductive and sexual health
• Action planning

This course is the first half of the nationally recognised course, Sexuality Matters! Part A: Provide rights-based sexuality supports.