Sexuality Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and ASD, 10/18/2024

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Sexuality Education For Students With Intellectual Disabilities And ASD, 10/18/2024

Webinar

Elective

About the Course:
Teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in a formal environment to understand their sexuality is generally ignored, until it becomes a problem. Like any other subject, addressing sexuality with instructional focus requires starting early, preparing the students before puberty begins and teaching facts and appropriate behaviors. This course will debunk the myths and facts surrounding sexuality within this specific population while demonstrating how to break down barriers and build a comprehensive sexuality education program for students from elementary through adulthood. Strategies will be taught on enabling each individual to be safe from exploitation and abuse, more independent and more integrated into their own communities resulting in a more positive quality of life will be provided.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

Identify the meaning of healthy sexuality.
List professional responsibilities for teaching healthy sexuality.
List 3 goals and 3 attitudes associated with sexuality education.
Identify the basic elements for discussing sexuality.
Identify 4 facts and 4 myths about sexuality and development disability.
List 3 reasons professionals avoid sexuality education.
Identify the statistics for gender expression and physical attraction for DD individuals.
Identify the 5 basic skill areas that need to be taught for sexuality education.
Recognize why hygiene is the most important basic sexuality health and safety skill.
List the 3 P’s of Sexuality Social Skills
List 3 ways ID/DD individuals learn about sexual relationships.
Identify 4 facts to teach regarding sexuality and relationships.
Identify 4 hidden rules regarding personal and private space.
Recognize abuse prevention training techniques.
Identify the steps for teaching safe dating.
List 4 challenges in establishing formal sexuality education.

About the Author:
Melanie H. Johnston, M.A. is the Executive Director of BRITE Success, LLC, which provides services to individuals with intellectual and development disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She completed her education with a BS from Texas Christian University in Speech Pathology, and MA from University of Texas, Austin in Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education. She is a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist, TEA Certified Teacher and IBCCES Certified Autism Specialist and trained Sexuality Educator

Melanie has over 30 years of experience not only as a Speech and Language Pathologist but also as an Autism/Behavior Specialist in public schools, private practice and collaborations with other agencies and service providers. She works with public school systems throughout the country developing appropriate educational plans for individuals with special needs providing trainings to faculty, professionals and families. She has taught AT/AAC as adjunct faculty at the University of Texas, Austin and has been at the forefront of implementing i-technology for education in the areas of communication, assistive-technology, language, transitional and learning needs. She has recently worked to provide information and training opportunities for sexuality education for all persons with disability.

Melanie has been a sought-after speaker speaking nationally at conferences and for professional trainings across the country. She is the recipient of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) 2013 Education Award. Currently, she sits on the Special NeedsWare (Oneder) Advisory Board, Elevatus Training Advisory Board and continues to advocate for all individuals with disabilities.

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Sexuality Education for Students with Intellectual Disabilities and ASD, 10/18/2024

88

About the Course:
Teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in a formal environment to understand their sexuality is generally ignored, until it becomes a problem. Like any other subject, addressing sexuality with instructional focus requires starting early, preparing the students before puberty begins and teaching facts and appropriate behaviors. This course will debunk the myths and facts surrounding sexuality within this specific population while demonstrating how to break down barriers and build a comprehensive sexuality education program for students from elementary through adulthood. Strategies will be taught on enabling each individual to be safe from exploitation and abuse, more independent and more integrated into their own communities resulting in a more positive quality of life will be provided.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
Identify the meaning of healthy sexuality.
List professional responsibilities for teaching healthy sexuality.
List 3 goals and 3 attitudes associated with sexuality education.
Identify the basic elements for discussing sexuality.
Identify 4 facts and 4 myths about sexuality and development disability.
List 3 reasons professionals avoid sexuality education.
Identify the statistics for gender expression and physical attraction for DD individuals.
Identify the 5 basic skill areas that need to be taught for sexuality education.
Recognize why hygiene is the most important basic sexuality health and safety skill.
List the 3 P’s of Sexuality Social Skills
List 3 ways ID/DD individuals learn about sexual relationships.
Identify 4 facts to teach regarding sexuality and relationships.
Identify 4 hidden rules regarding personal and private space.
Recognize abuse prevention training techniques.
Identify the steps for teaching safe dating.
List 4 challenges in establishing formal sexuality education.
About the Author:
Melanie H. Johnston, M.A. is the Executive Director of BRITE Success, LLC, which provides services to individuals with intellectual and development disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She completed her education with a BS from Texas Christian University in Speech Pathology, and MA from University of Texas, Austin in Early Childhood Intervention and Special Education. She is a licensed Speech/Language Pathologist, TEA Certified Teacher and IBCCES Certified Autism Specialist and trained Sexuality Educator
Melanie has over 30 years of experience not only as a Speech and Language Pathologist but also as an Autism/Behavior Specialist in public schools, private practice and collaborations with other agencies and service providers. She works with public school systems throughout the country developing appropriate educational plans for individuals with special needs providing trainings to faculty, professionals and families. She has taught AT/AAC as adjunct faculty at the University of Texas, Austin and has been at the forefront of implementing i-technology for education in the areas of communication, assistive-technology, language, transitional and learning needs. She has recently worked to provide information and training opportunities for sexuality education for all persons with disability.
Melanie has been a sought-after speaker speaking nationally at conferences and for professional trainings across the country. She is the recipient of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) 2013 Education Award. Currently, she sits on the Special NeedsWare (Oneder) Advisory Board, Elevatus Training Advisory Board and continues to advocate for all individuals with disabilities.
How to Receiv