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Who is Delivering Sexual Health Education Content to Young Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disability?: A Survey of US-Based School-Based Professionals and Parents

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Abstract

Limited access to sexual health information is a significant problem faced by young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In a survey of family members and school-based professionals, we assessed which sexual health topics are covered by whom, as well as from whom survey respondents believe young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be getting information. Participants report providing some sexual health information but that more information should be provided, especially on topics such as sexual orientation and gender identity. Results demonstrate medical providers are being expected to provide more sexual health information, and that the internet is a non-preferred source of education. These findings should inform recommendations about who should be providing sexual health education for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge their participants and advisory board for their contributions to this project.

Funding

Funding for this project was provided by the Boston University Dudley Allen Research fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA

    Eileen T Crehan

  2. AARTS Center, Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA

    Eileen T Crehan

  3. Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, USA

    Ariel E. Schwartz

  4. Department of Occupational Therapy, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, USA

    Elizabeth K. Schmidt

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Contributions

Drs. Crehan, Schwartz, & Schmidt worked collaboratively on the design and data collection. Dr. Schwartz conducted the analyses. Dr. Crehan authored the introduction and discussion, Dr. Schmidt wrote the methods section, and Dr. Schwartz wrote the results. All authors read and approved drafts and the submitted version.

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Correspondence to Eileen T Crehan.

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This project was approved by the BU IRB (Study 5602E). The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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Crehan, E.T., Schwartz, A.E. & Schmidt, E.K. Who is Delivering Sexual Health Education Content to Young Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disability?: A Survey of US-Based School-Based Professionals and Parents. Sex Disabil 41, 189–200 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-023-09790-2

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