Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality 101

When it comes to discussions about sexuality, people with disabilities are often excluded, almost as if they’re incapable of having sexual thoughts, feelings, and needs. In reality, they too are sexual beings who need information and skills to make healthy decisions about sexuality and relationships.

If you are like many professionals who work with people with developmental disabilities, you know sexuality issues that need to be addressed, but you may not have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to do so.

But don’t worry. We’ve got your back.

This six-module online course offers you a proven, nuts-and-bolts approach to discussing sexuality and responding to behaviors. Like so many other professionals who’ve completed this course, you’ll come away feeling more skillful, comfortable, and confident when discussing sexuality with the people you serve.

Benefits of this Online Course

Use With All Your Staff

Enables new hires to begin training immediately. Appropriate for direct support staff as well as management. Assures consistency of training.

Easy Scheduling

Learn when you want, where you want – makes it easy to coordinate training with your staff.

Reduce Training Cost

No travel or extended time out of the office. Buy it once and get unlimited use.

This Course Includes

6 Video Training Modules

High-quality, well-paced learning modules developed by Katherine McLaughlin, an expert in sexuality education.

PDF Downloads of Course Materials

Accompanying PDF versions of training exercises, handouts, and checklists.

Email Support for Your Questions

Email your questions to our support team as you go through the program.

Module 1 – Getting Back to Basics

This module explores what sexuality and sexual self-advocacy mean. It examines messages that we received growing up about sexuality and how those impact our ability to talk about this topic. We will create positive messages to use when working with people with developmental disabilities.

Module 2 – Sexuality 101

This module gets you up to date on Human Sexual Development and the issues regarding sexuality that people with developmental disabilities face. You will gain a better understanding of how to support people with developmental disabilities in their sexual development.

Module 3 – Barriers to Being Effective

This module examines the barriers we face in communicating about this topic. We will explore our own values and attitudes and how these impact our ability to discuss this sensitive topic.

Module 4 – Answering Questions: Practical Tips and Tools

This module is designed to give you the tools to overcome any barriers you have with addressing this topic. We will explore the different types of questions and effective ways to answer questions.

Module 5 – Responding to Behaviors: Practice, Tips and Tools

This module provides a framework for responding to sexual behaviors. We will explore different scenarios involving sexual behaviors and how you might respond to these behaviors in an effective and positive way.

Module 6 – Working With Parents and Guardians

This module will help you learn ways to build your relationship with parents. We will discuss tips for working with parents and guardians and how to relieve their concerns.