Let's Talk about Sex: Recommendations for Educating Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities

Overview & Synopsis

Individuals with developmental disabilities are vulnerable to sexual abuse, and are often denied access to sexuality education. Public schools have vague curricula regarding sexuality education for general education students, curricula to which adolescents with developmental disabilities do not have access. The current study sought to determine attitudes of public high school special education teachers regarding teaching sexuality education and the obstacles they encounter when attempting to teach sexuality education to their students. A comprehensive survey method utilizing quantitative and qualitative questions gathered information from public high school special education teachers regarding what sexuality information was taught, what barriers prevented special educators from delivering sexuality education, and educator opinions regarding teaching sexuality education. Descriptive percentages and content analyses were used to analyze and report the data. Thirty-three surveys completed nationwide were used for the current study. It was found that the majority of high school special education teachers agreed that each component of sexuality education should be taught to students, however educators felt uncomfortable teaching some topics. It was also found that inadequate curriculum, materials, and resources were reported as major barriers to teaching sexuality education. Consistent with previous research, public high school special educators agree that students with developmental disabilities should be taught sexuality education in public high schools. Participants agreed that each major component of sexuality education should be taught, but various content areas (e.g. marriage and love) should be left to parents and community leaders. Also consistent with previous research, public high school special educators reported inadequate curriculum, materials, and resources to be major barriers impeding their ability to teach sexuality education to their students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]