Does the youth have healthy relationships?
Meaningful relationships with friends and loving relationships with the people who are special to us provide the support we need to navigate the social world. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities lack strong social connections and live isolated lives. This can be a byproduct of communication difficulties, the impact of the disability on functioning, or overprotective families. Most young people want solid social and intimate connections with others, and families can work on the skills needed to make that happen.
Conversations about relationships and sexuality should address:
- Healthy relationships (communication, consent, safety, private vs. public behavior)
- Environmental influences (media, technology, society)
- Sexual identity (orientation, gender identity and role)
- Values and socialization (family, friends and peers, acquaintances, culture, religion)
- Reproduction, including birth control and sexual health
- Managing menstrual periods
- Physical expression (pleasure, sensuality, intimacy)
