This free teaching tool is designed to spark meaningful conversations about love, relationships, and sexuality with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Using a short CNN “love story” video featuring a couple with Down syndrome, this resource helps participants explore the idea that love is love while noticing what makes relationships caring, respectful, and mutual.
Educators, trainers, and support staff can use the included discussion questions to help participants reflect on:
What is positive and healthy in Marissa and John’s relationship
How partners talk about and treat each other
What couples enjoy doing together and what challenges they may face
How families and staff can support healthy, self-directed relationships
What “Love is Love” means in their own lives and communities
This adaptable handout fits easily into sexuality education classes, self-advocacy groups, and staff trainings focused on healthy relationships, consent, and communication skills.
Ideal for: educators, direct support professionals, and facilitators leading classes or groups for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Note: This document description was co-created with Ai tools and reviewed by the Elevatus team for accuracy.
Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator, is the Founder, CEO, and Lead Trainer for Elevatus Training. She has been a sexuality educator and trainer for over 30 years. As a national expert on sexuality and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she trains professionals and parents, as well as people with I/DD, to become sexual self-advocates and peer sexuality educators.
