You have to know where you have been in order to know where you are going.
I am the parent of a child who was identified as having a disability shortly after birth. I remember carefully preparing a list of behaviors I would model or avoid as a parent and the topics I felt I could comfortably discuss:
- I will verbally express my unconditional love for my child.
- I will never spank.
- I am human and make mistakes — I can and will apologize to my child when I am at fault.
- We are sexual human beings — I will be prepared to anticipate and answer my child’s questions in relation to physical development, and sexuality.
Along with the promise to answer questions in relation to physical development and sexuality, I understood it was important to teach boundaries. Boundaries included who in your circle do you give or receive a hug, when and where can you masturbate, attire when answering the door, etc.
For decades The Arc of Denver/AdvocacyDenver reminded families of their role to teach or model their values in relation to sexuality. For decades The Arc of Denver/AdvocacyDenver advocated that public schools provide all students instruction in life science curriculum. For decades The Arc of Denver/AdvocacyDenver encouraged public policy that recognizes that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (“IDD”) should enjoy the same liberties to marriage, parenting and to proudly identify as heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and two spirit.
AdvocacyDenver is a member of a growing contingency in the IDD community that recognizes comprehensive sexuality and relationship education as a means of protection for vulnerable individuals. Data shows that individuals with disabilities are victimized at a higher rate than the larger population. Empowering clients to understand their bodily autonomy and right to choose what happens to their body provides a foundation to exercise consent and self-advocacy when abuse does occur.
Today and going forward, AdvocacyDenver facilitates training and provides short webinars in English and Spanish on a list of sexuality topics including consent, public versus private, gender identity and expression. To learn more go to: https://www.advocacydenver.org/category/webinar/sex-ed/
