1. Sexual health and wellness education
Teaching strategies for people with autism
Pat Carney, M.Ed. , Trainer
DDS Office of Learning and Development
Jason Litto, Human Service Coordinator
DDS Holyoke/Chicopee Area Office

2. Learning objectives for the series
By the end of this 2-day series, you will be able to:
Define sexuality broadly and identify its importance throughout a person’s life
Recognize different ways that sexuality can be developed, in safe and healthy ways
Access ideas, skills and information to be helpful to the people you support as they navigate the complicated world of sexual expression and relationships.
Act with both competence and confidence!!

3. Note for the day! Our Goal: Interactive as possible
Try to adhere to time frames
Our plan:
Some presentation, some video, some small group work, some Q&A, a little bit of bedlam!
Our request:
Please adhere to break times
Participate with an open mind. Ask questions!

4. Defining sexuality
Sexuality is the integration of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual aspects of an individual’s personality that express gender*. It begins at birth and affects all senses; it is not limited to genitals.
*traditionally considered maleness and femaleness; we know now it is a continuum that is self-identified.

5. Four REALMS of sexuality
Identity: how you see yourself; how you want others to see you; self-concept, self-awareness, self-esteem, self-expression Reproduction: biological aspects of sexuality; human development, hygiene, disease and pregnancy prevention … or not, but that’s about… Sensuality: what feels good; connecting with your body Intimacy: closeness, trust, risk, safety
ACTIVITY!

6. Sexuality across the lifespan
Infancy and early childhood: Birth to age 4-ish School-age: age 5yrs-11yrs-ish Adolescence: age 12yrs-20yrs. From puberty to full physical growth… so maybe 24? Adulthood: Early, Middle, Late… age is a social construct!
ACTIVITY!!

7. Becoming sexually able
“Children with disabilities … first learn that they are disabled before learning to see themselves as sexual people.
“…sexuality educators need to affirm that people of all abilities, including people with early and late onset disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and disabilities that hinder learning, are sexual people.”
Mitchell Tepper, SIECUS Journal; February 2001

8. Sexuality across the lifespan
Infancy and early childhood: Birth to age 4-ish School-age: age 5yrs-11yrs… about Adolescence: age 12yrs-20yrs. From puberty to full physical growth Sparrow Jones; What Every Autistic Girl Wishes Her Parents Knew Adulthood: Early, Middle, Late

9. Lunch!!!!
45 minutes. Thanks.

10. Communication and healthy relationships
Our Complex Social World
How we communicate with each other
Central Coherence & Theory of Mind
How deficits could impact relationships
Learning and Applying Socially Relevant Information

11. Skills helpful for relationships
Eye Contact Conversation Skills Reading Non-Verbal Body Language Recognizing Feelings in Self and Others Flexible Thinking Apologizing And many, many more…

12. Teaching social competency skills
Identifying What Skills are Needed Utilizing Visually Supported Communication Graphic Organizers Emotional Regulation Teaching Eye Contact

13. Teaching social competency skills
Social Behavior Mapping
Video Modeling
Social Stories
SOCCS / SODA
Circles
Superflex
More about these next week.
ACTIVITY!!!

14. Case study/scenarios: incidental teaching
What is the issue(s)?
What is the goal?
What are the resources?
What are your strategies?

15. Closing
The main thing is to understand that our current attitudes, understandings, values and expectations, in one way or another, probably have their roots in childhood.
In other words, we didn’t suddenly become who we are today; it’s been a process over time.
Wendy Lawson.
Build Your Own Life: A self-help guide for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Enjoy the flowers!