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A father and his teenage son with Down syndrome sit at a kitchen table, looking at picture cards together.

How to Explain Puberty to a Teenager with I/DD

Young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities need clear information about their changing bodies, and that information also helps protect them from sexual abuse. This guide shows parents how to start the conversation, whether or not changes have begun. It covers accurate words for body parts, picture-based routines for period care, calm scripts for erections and wet dreams, and how to teach privacy while respecting your teen’s rights. It also covers when to involve your teen’s healthcare professional. Read more about: How to Explain Puberty to a Teenager with I/DD

Two adults with Down syndrome viewing a laptop, illustrating pornography education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

When Someone You Support Is Watching Porn: A Guide for Parents and Staff Supporting People with I/DD

Most people with I/DD encounter pornography at some point, often with less preparation to understand what they are seeing than their peers. This guide helps parents and support professionals respond to that moment without panic and shows how to turn it into an ongoing conversation using pornography literacy. It also covers when pornography use crosses into a bigger concern that needs more than a conversation, and what agencies should have in place so staff and families are not figuring this out alone. Read more about: When Someone You Support Is Watching Porn: A Guide for Parents and Staff Supporting People with I/DD

Diverse group of self-advocates, parents, and professionals smiling and learning together in an Elevatus Training workshop on understanding your body and sexual anatomy.

Inside & Out: Understanding Your Body — Sexual Anatomy and Medical Terms for People with I/DD

Knowing the correct medical terms for sexual body parts supports bodily autonomy, safety, clear communication, and protection from harm. This article provides accessible guidance for self-advocates, families, and supporters on sexual anatomy, using respectful language and resources tailored for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read more about: Inside & Out: Understanding Your Body — Sexual Anatomy and Medical Terms for People with I/DD

What the “Sex Talk” Looks Like Now

With summer starting to wind down, many people are getting into the back-to-school mindset. Think back to your health/sex ed class days. What was it like? What messages did you receive? Over the decades, there have been some big shifts in the way we approach sexuality.

I love this clip from Comedy Central’s Alternatino (Youtube). While I do not believe talking with your child about sexuality is just one conversation, this clip is a great example of the generational differences that can pop up when we have conversations about this topic. We have a lot to learn from each other. However, the main message is that we are all sexual beings and have the right to comprehensive, medically accurate, and age-appropriate sexuality education. Read more about: What the “Sex Talk” Looks Like Now

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