Sexual Health Education for Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A School District Case Study

Area of Science:

• Special Education
• Public Health
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Comprehensive sexual health education (SHE) is crucial for improving knowledge and skills among youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
• This case study details the adaptation and delivery of SHE within high school special education (SpEd) settings in a mid-sized school district.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process of adapting and implementing a sexual health education unit for youth with I/DD.
• To identify key strategies and considerations for successful SHE program delivery in special education classrooms.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating feedback from students, teachers, and experts in I/DD.
• The SHE unit was adapted using principles of universal design for learning (UDL).
• Training and technical assistance were provided to educators.

Main Results:

• The adapted SHE unit effectively addressed sexual health topics and teaching strategies for youth with I/DD.
• Educator comfort and confidence in delivering SHE improved following training and support.
• The pilot program demonstrated the feasibility of implementing SHE in SpEd classrooms.

Conclusions:

• Further practice-based research is essential to advance inclusive SHE for individuals with I/DD.
• Key implications for practice include the need for teacher training, leadership support, parent engagement, and ongoing student/teacher feedback.
• Future research should focus on the development, adaptation, teaching, and evaluation of SHE curricula for special education, prioritizing student perspectives.