They Are Doing It Barbara Obst R N

They Are Doing It!!!! Barbara Obst, R. N. , M. S. SHNIC Program Fall 2017

Objectives To understand the definition of human sexuality. To discuss barriers of talking about human sexuality. To understand that human sexuality is more that the “S” word. To understand the other issues of puberty, learning the lingo. To be able to utilize resources available.

Definition According to the Sex Information and Educational Council of the U. S. ( SIECUS): Human sexuality encompassess the sexual knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviors of individuals. It deals with the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the sexual response system; with roles, identity, and personality; with individual thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and relationships. It addresses ethicial, spiritual, and moral concerns, group and cultural variations.

Further Definition: Sexuality should be considered in context that extends beyond genital sex to include; gender role, socialization, physical maturation, body image, social relationships, and future social aspirations.

FACTS: According to RW Blum, adolescents with physical disabilities are as sexually experienced as their peers without disabilities.

Myths That children and youth with disabilities are asexual and consequently do not need education about their sexuality. The truth is that all children are social and sexual beings from the day they are born. (Sugar, 1990). Most individuals with disabilties will not marry or have children, so they have no need to learn about sexuality. This is also not true. Individuals with developmental disabilities are perceived as “forever children”, without any sexual feelings or needs.

Facts With increased realization of their rights , more independence and self-sufficiency, people with disabilities are choosing to marry and or become sexually involved. There is a genuine need to learn about sexuality. Individuals with developmental disabilities have many of the same needs, feelings and desires as “able” people. Information is just as important for the disabled youth. Societal and psychosocial barriers may be more of a hindrance to an adolescent’s sexual development than the limitations of the disability itself.

What is Puberty? Starts between the ages 8 -13. The hormones bring on physical changes. Accompanied by heighten sexual drive. Emotional upheavel. Body changes.

Puberty and Special Considerations Children with neurodevelopmental disabilities are 20 times more likely to experience early pubertal changes. Idiopathic precocious puberty occurs in approximately 1 in 1000 girls, the incidence approaches 20% among females with spina bifida. Hypo sexuality and/or Hyper sexuality after a brain injury.

Why is it important to understand the disability? It is important as a parent, educator and caregiver to understand the medical problem and how the disability can affect the adolescent not only physically but how they learn. It is important to know the how they learn age versus their age. It is important for all to understand normal stages of childhood development.

Body Image: Is this my body? Body image is how someone feels about his or her own physical appearance. Body Image in teens is often linked to self – esteem. What influences Self Esteem: puberty, typically developing peers, what they see on TV. movies, DVDs.

Healthy Self-Esteem A healthy attitude allows the youth to explore other aspects of growing up: such as: developing friendships, becoming more independent from the parents, challenging themselves physically and mentally. Knowing what makes one happy and how to meet their goals can help youth feel capable, strong and in control of their life.

Taking Shape, Your Body is Changing Growing up and out. Weight gain. Facial hair. Hair every where. Acne and pimples.

Helping the Adolescent Optimize Independence. While many children with physical disabilities need adult help in self care activities, some children with disabilities might need the following: Reinforcement Cues Formalized Instruction Adaptive technology Allowing the adolescent to do what he is able to do, even if it takes longer.

The Parent’s Role

Parent’s Role According to Edwards and Elkins “ Socialization skills are learned every day”. Practice, greeting people , shaking hands. Do not keep your child socially isolated. Help lay the foundation by teaching and modeling: Good grooming and personal hygeine. Teach basic self care if possible. Discuss and explore what makes good friendships. Discuss your values, and use teachable moments.

More Tips Encourage or pursue recreational activities. Help build self esteem. Participate in extracurricular activities. Be aware of activities in your child’s s school. Help find your teenager a volunteer or employment opportunity. Try not to be overprotected.

Beyond Developing Interpersonal Skills Re-inforce the “Circles Method of Teaching Social Behavior”. Edwards and Elkins suggest “It is the reinforcement of the concept of public and private behaviors that provides the guidelines for decision making related to social sexual activity thaqt your child must make throughout his or her life. ”

Teaching Youth about Sexuality Education takes place in various settings, the school, community and home. The school setting has an important role in helping develop appropriate behaviors and social skills. If possible, allow your child to have a greater role in decision making. Allow the teen to have some privacy.

More Teaching Teach and reinforce public and private. Work with your physician to address concerns. Understand that your child might be self pleasuring. Remember that masturbation can be a problem only if it is done in an inappropriate place or accompanied by guilt.

Educators Role Know how the student’s disability may affect his or her social-sexual development. Consider how the disability affects the student’s ability to learn information about sexual issues. Understanding how a particular disability affects social- sexual development, the learning process, and how it affects sexual expressions. Resource: NICHCY’s Database.

Understanding Sexual Exploitation Physical limitations that make self defense difficult. Cognitive limitations that make self defense difficult for the person to determine if a situation is safe or dangerous. Vulnerability to suggestions, because of limited knowledge related to sexuality, human relations, including public and private behavior.

What Makes a Healthy Relationship? Mutual Respect. Trust. Honesty. Support. Fairness. Separate Identities. Good Communication.

What’s an UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP? Warning signs: Verbal insults. Mean words. Physical signs. All are important warning signs of verbal, physical or emotional abuse.

The Goal To help your child and student have an healthy understanding of human relations. Decision making and self advocacy skills, provides a good foundation for saying “no”.

The Verbage! Do you know what songs your child listens too? Do you know what teens talk about? Do you know what the party scenes are? Do you know what videos your teen watches?

The New “Party” and Drug Scene Marijuana Candy

Cannabis E Cigarette It can be disguised as a pen. Uses liquid THC, hash oil or whole form.

Molly, K 2 Spice, Bath Salts Molly, was a pure form of Ecstasy, now it is synthetic. K 2 Spice dried herbal/spice/weed plant products that have been sprayed with a chemical. Bath Salts, synthetic cocaine/meth.

Latest Drug Trend Snorting Crystal Lite

Latest Parties ABC Party Purple Drank Party Molly Party OTC Cough Medicine Party Pharming Party

Pictures

Being in the Know Whether your child has a disability or not, the teen years are ones that all parents wish that they can get through with no problems. It is important today not to keep your head in the sand.

Strategies for Visually Impaired Teens Visually impaired children need help with understanding descriptions of the opposite sex. Talking books. Books in braille.

Teens with Autism Scripted social stories. Modelling. Variety of Visual Aids. Concrete answers. Picture Books.

Comments or Questions

Resources www. asgc. org/ed-sex-ed. htm “ Sexuality Your Sons and Daughter with Intellectual Disabilities "by Karen Melberg Schwier and Dave Hingburgher. ( 2000, Brookes Publishing). Circles Program by Marilyn P Champagne and Leslie W Walker-Hirsch. http: //flfcic. fmhi. usf. edu/projects/health. htm. http: //www. med. umich. edu/1 libr/yourchild/disabsex. ht m.

You Tube Autism and Puberty - An IRCA Web. Share Series Session This is an excellent training tool for parents regarding the issue of puberty.

References Blum, RW. Sexual health contraceptive needs of adolescents with chronic conditions. Arch Pediatric Adolesc. Medical 1997; 151: 290 -297. Sugar, M. 1990 Atypical Adolescence and Sexuality. New York: W. W. Norton. www. siecus. org/pubs/biblio www. pediatrics. org/cgi/content/full/118/1/398