Are healthcare providers and young people talking about sexuality?

Latest News, Research|

Why is this research important? This review asked the question, are youth with disabilities and their healthcare providers (HCPs) talking about sexuality? Studies involving youth under 21 and their HCPs were examined to identify themes including what was talked about, how often and the barriers to conversations. Talking about sexuality is more than just the basics of biology; it's [...]

Why Working with Pediatric Health Care Providers can Support Healthy Sexuality for Youth with Disabilities

Latest News, Research, Youth with disabilities|

Why is this research important? Youth and families living with disabilities often have inadequate education and guidance regarding sexual health development. In our current world, youth with and without disabilities are getting more sexual health information from media than through formal education or health care providers. This report aims to prove the important role that pediatric health care providers [...]

Using Perspectives of People with Intellectual Disabilities to Create Targeted, and Meaningful Sex Education Programs

Latest News, Research|

Why is this research important? Current sexual health education programs have failed to involve people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the creation of these programs. Not including perspectives of individuals with IDs lowers the likelihood that the sexual education program will be effective at reaching them. This study aimed to assess the perspectives of youth living with ID by [...]

Social media and Youth with Intellectual Disabilities

Research, Youth with disabilities|

Why is this research important? This research took a closer look at existing findings regarding young people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and social media. There is limited existing knowledge concerning people with ID and the internet, especially considering youth and social media. Young people with ID may experience unique risks in using the internet, for example bullying or threats, [...]

The Importance of intimate relationships for people with disabilities

Research, Youth with disabilities|

Why is this research important? This research explored the intimate relationships of people with disabilities, for example intimate friendships and romantic relationships. Intimate relationships: increase ones’ quality of life, help to reduce stress,  increase self-worth and emotional well-being, and  are associated with positive mental health. Knowing what helps such relationships to form is especially important. Those with disabilities may [...]

Seeking Safer Sexual Spaces: Queer and trans young people labelled with intellectual disabilities and the paradoxical risks of restriction

Latest News, Research|

Why is this research important? Understanding sexual experiences, knowledge and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth labelled with intellectual disability is a new area of research. The authors of the article found a need to understand how social and environmental factors influence the sexual health and well-being of these youth. The term “labelled with intellectual disability” is used [...]

Barriers to Health and Social Services for Street-Involved Youth in Canadian Settings

Research|

Why is this research important? Risky behaviours, like sharing syringes or unprotected sex, increase a person’s risk of developing HIV or hepatitis C. A common belief is that these behaviours are personal decisions. Understanding how health and social services are responsible for these health outcomes is important. Accessible services for street-involved youth can create more opportunities for these youth [...]

Sex Education for Youth With Intellectual Disabilities

Research, Youth with disabilities|

Why is this research important? The purpose of the qualitative pilot study was to develop an understanding of the experiences of sexuality education from the perspective of adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID). The intent of the research is to inform future sexuality education activities and assist educational staff working in special education schools. Interviews were conducted with adolescents with [...]

Dating and romantic relationships of adolescents with disabilities

Research, Youth with disabilities|

Why is this research important? This research explored understandings and experiences of romantic relationships in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Such youth are at high risk for sexual exploitation, making understanding of these individual’s knowledge, understanding, and experience of relationships and what is appropriate within them especially important.  Adolescents and their parents were surveyed relative to a [...]

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