Sexual Health and Cultural Competency for IDD Providers

1. Sexual Health and Cultural Competency for IDD Providers Presentation by: Yvette R. Murry MSW, LCSW President/COO YRM Consulting Group LLC December 2017

2. Goals of Session At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to: have an increased understanding individuals living with intellectual and developmental dis-abilities to: • Explore the cultural paradigms that influence sexuality. • Expand skill at providing accurate and appropriate sexual health information to individuals living with IDD. • Reduce stigma, rejection, victimization and exploitation of individuals living with IDD. Sexuality and IDD

3. What is Sexual Health? • Awareness, Attitudes & Behaviors toward • Own health and sexual organs • Consequences of sexual activity Examples: • Own anatomy • Anatomy of others • STDs/STIs • Sexual Actions • Self Care • Sexual Safety Sexuality and IDD

4. The Reality Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental dis-abilities are at greater risk than the general population of abuse, neglect, financial and sexual exploitation, and the violation of their legal and human rights. Sexuality and IDD

5. What is Sexuality Education Comprehensive sexuality education takes into consideration The cognitive domain facts and data The affective domain feelings, values, and attitudes The skills domain ability to communicate effectively and to make responsible decisions Sexuality and IDD

6. What is Sexuality Biological/Physical Physical sensations or drives our bodies experience Genital activity is one small part of human sexuality Sociological Friendship - Warmth Approval - Affection Social outlets - Spiritual Hygiene - Dress Psychological Whether we like ourselves Our understanding of ourselves as men and women (gender identification) What we feel we have to share with others Sexuality and IDD

7. Rights, rules, laws, and warnings • Safety from abuse • Appropriate places and times for: • Self-examination • Sexual discussion • Sexual behavior • Touching others • Responding to feedback Sexuality and IDD

8. Protection • Coercion • Saying “no” • Listening to “no” • Disease • Education about disease • Education about proper use of condoms • Contraception • Degree of autonomy Sexuality and IDD

9. General Guidelines for Parents & Professionals • Regardless of IDD, all people have feelings, sexual desire, and a need for intimacy and closeness. • People with IDD confront the same discomfort and suffer the same lack of information that hampers peers regarding sexuality and sexual health. • Learn as much about a variety IDD and how sexuality may be impacted by the particular IDD. • Before starting a conversation, make sure you know your own values and beliefs. Sexuality and IDD

10. General Guidelines for Professionals Be clear (explicit) when discussing relationships. Use teachable moments that arise in daily life. Be honest when you’re asked questions. Always acknowledge and value the individual’s feelings and experience. Be willing to repeat information over time – don’t expect the individual to remember everything you say immediately. Sexuality and IDD

11. Yvette R. Murry, MSW, LCSWPresident/COOYRM Consulting Group, LLCNew Brunswick, NJ732 397-2192ymurry@yrmconsulting.comwww.yrmconsulting.com