Skip to main content

Developmental Denial

How the Attitudes of Parents and Professionals Shape Sexuality Education for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities

  • Chapter
Youth: Responding to Lives

Part of the book series: Studies in Inclusive Education ((STUIE))

  • 567 Accesses

Abstract

The “normal” development of the body, its sexual drive, and reproductive capacities in youth with intellectual disabilities provides an interesting challenge to traditional assumptions about disability, embodiment, and inclusion. This challenge lies in the fact that an individual who may never function cognitively above the level of a two or three year old can, at the same time, have a fully developed and sexually capable body.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • AAIDD. (2009). American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Retrieved April 13, 2009, from http://www.aamr.org/content_104.cfm

  • APA (Ed.). (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev. ed.). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballan, M. (2001). Parents as sexuality educators for their children with developmental disabilities (Vol. 29, pp. 14). Siecus Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Center for Autism. (2010). Definition of ABA. Retrieved December 13, 2010 from: http://www.centerforautism.com/getting_started/aba.asp

  • Chin, S. (2006). Gender, sex, and disability from Helen Keller to Tiny Tim. Radical History Review, 94, 240-248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuskelly, M., & Bryde, R. (2004). Attitudes towards the sexuality of adults with an intellectual disability: Parents, support staff, and a community sample. [Study]. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 29(3), 255-264. doi: 10.1080/13668250412331285136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuskelly, M., & Gilmore, L. (2007). Attitudes to sexuality questionnaire (Individuals with intellectual disabilities): Scale development and community norms. [Study]. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 32(3), 214-221. doi: 10.1080/13668250701549450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derry, S. (1996). Cognitive schema theory in the constructivist debate. Educational Psychologist, 31(3), 163-174.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Disabilities, C. f. A. a. D. (1994). A definition of developmental disability. Aging (366), 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dotson, L. A., Stinson, J., & Christian, L. (2003). ‘People tell me I can’t have sex’: Women with disabilities share their personal perspectives on health care, sexuality, and reproductive rights. Women & Therapy, 26(3/4), 195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eagly, A. H., & Chaiken, S. (2007). The advantages of an inclusive definition of attitude. Social Cognition, 25(5), 582-602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flippin, M., Reszka, S., & Watson, L. R. (2010). Effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) on communication and speech for children with autism spectrum disorders: A metaanalysis. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 19(2), 178-195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, C. (2009). Social stories. Retrieved October 29, 2009, from http://www.thegraycenter.org/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=30

  • Greenfield, R., & Day, H. M. (2006). Developmental specialist for children 3-17. Certification Training Manual. Center on Disabilities and Human Development ITC, University of Idaho, Boise.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guidry, C. (2008). Working with victims of crime with disabilities 10/1/2008. Retrieved October 29, 2009, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/factshts/disable.htm

  • Hatt, S., Leske, D., Krigis, P., Bradley, E., & Holmes, J. (2007). The effects of strabismus on quality of life in adults. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 144(5), 643-647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmich, J. (2009). What is comprehensive sexuality education? Going WAAAAAY beyond abstinence and condoms. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 4(1), 10-15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hibbard, R. A., & Desch, L. W. (2007). Maltreatment of children with disabilities. Pediatrics, 119(5), 1018-1025. doi: 10.1542/peds.2007-0565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howard-Barr, E. M., Rienzo, B. A., Pigg Jr, R. M., & James, D. (2005). Teacher beliefs, professional preparation, and practices regarding exceptional students and sexuality education. Journal of School Health, 75(3), 99-104. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2005.00004.x

    Google Scholar 

  • IDHW. (2010). Idaho Infant Toddler Program. Retrieved June 29, 2010, from http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/InfantToddlerProgram/tabid/78/Default.aspx

  • IEP. (2007). Eligibility for special education: Lucy Gray.

    Google Scholar 

  • IEP. (2010). Individual education plan: Lucy Gray.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupper, L., Ambler, L., & Valdivieso, C. (1992a). How particular disabilities affect sexuality and sexuality education. NICHCY News Digest, 1(3), 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupper, L., Ambler, L., & Valdivieso, C. (1992b). Special issues. NICHCY News Digest, 1(3), 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupper, L., Ambler, L., & Valdivieso, C. (1992c). Teaching children and youth about sexuality. NICHCY News Digest, 1(3), 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. New York: Sage Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marten, K. (2006). Sex life and sexuality of individuals with developmental disabilities: A critical review of the literature. Master of Science, University of Wisconsin, Menomonie.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, B., Murray, G., Peter, R., Alan, L., Nigel, P., Bernard, D., et al. (2005). Proposed definition and classification of cerebral palsy, April 2005. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 47(8), 571-576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, M. (1998). Whose body is it anyway? Pressures and control for women with learning disabilities. Disability & Society, 13(4), 557-574.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merriam, S. (2001). Qualitative research and case study applications in education (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miodrag, N. (2004). An exploration of a socio-sexual education program for individuals with developmental disabilities: Chanes in knowledge and attitudes. Master of Arts (Child Study), Concordia University, Montreal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, N., & Elias, E. (2006). Sexuality of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Pediatrics, 118(1), 398. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-1115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, N., & Young, P. (2005). Sexuality in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 47, 640-644.

    Google Scholar 

  • NINDS. (2010). What is aphasia? Retrieved June 30, 2010, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/aphasia/aphasia.htm

  • Piaget, J. (1954). The construction of reality in the child (M. Cook, Trans.). New York: Basic Books, Inc.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, P., & Ogilvy, J. (1979). The emergent paradigm: Changing patterns of thought and belief. (SRI International). Cited in Lincoln, Y. & Guba, E. (1985), Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shakespeare, T. (2000). Disabled sexuality: Toward rights and recognition. Sexuality & Disability, 18(3).

    Google Scholar 

  • Siebelink, E., deJong, M., Taal, E., & Roelvink, L. (2006). Sexuality and people with intellectual disability: Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and needs. Mental Retardation, 44(4), 283-294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweeney, L. (2007). The importance of human sexuality education for students with disabilities. Exceptional Parent Magazine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarnai, B., & Wolfe, P. (2007). Social stories for sexuality education for persons with autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Sexuality and Disability, 26(1). doi: 10.1007/s11195-007-9067-3

  • Tepper, M. (2005). Becoming sexually able: Education for adolescents and young adults with disabilities. Contemporary Sexuality, 39(9).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, P. (1997). The influence of personal values on issues of sexuality and disability. Sexuality & Disability, 15(2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, P., Condo, B., & Hardaway, E. (2009). Sociosexuality education for persons with autism spectrum disorders using principles of applied behavior analysis. Teaching Exceptional Children, 42(1), 50.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Sense Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wappett, M. (2013). Developmental Denial. In: Azzopardi, A. (eds) Youth: Responding to Lives. Studies in Inclusive Education. SensePublishers, Rotterdam. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-6209-431-4_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Societies and partnerships