Let’s talk about dating, relationships & sexuality

Talking to teens and young adults about dating, relationships and sexuality can feel a bit tricky for any parent. It’s one of those conversations that’s important but not always easy to start. These topics often bring up a mix of emotions and concerns, especially as young people begin exploring their independence. However, when disability is part of the equation, these discussions can become even more complex, raising unique questions and challenges. How do you approach sensitive topics like intimacy, boundaries and personal safety boundaries in a way that’s both supportive and
accessible? How do you ensure that your child feels empowered to form healthy relationships while also protecting their well-being?

But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding the right balance between supporting your young person’s exploration while also ensuring they feel safe and understood. To help with this here are some resources that can make those conversations a little smoother and more approachable. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for new ways to talk about these topics, these tools and services offer helpful guidance.

SECCA

SECCA has developed a range of unique resources to help people of all abilities learn and teach about relationships, sexuality, health and rights. Their resources are picture-based and written in easy English to ensure access and understanding. They use anatomically correct illustrations to remove the ambiguity that often confuses or adds shame to learning about sexuality. Topics covered include teaching public & private, sexting, safer sex, gender diversity, consent and much more.

Most of the resources are free and can be downloaded on their website at secca.org.au/resources.

Alongside these really useful resources SECCA also run a number of speciality workshops in their West Perth offices to help family and carers, teachers and professionals, to feel more confident helping those they support with their sexuality and relationships. secca.org.au

CONSENTABILITY

Consentability founder, Dr Natasha Alexander is an experienced registered clinical psychologist and has worked with people with intellectual disabilities since 2001. Natasha is passionate about advocating for, and supporting, people’s rights to express their sexuality in an informed and empowered way. She is equally passionate about emphasising the importance of child and adult safeguarding, and sees sexuality and relationships education as an important part of the development of self-protection skills and safeguarding. Natasha’s services include education & support sessions, Capacity for Consent assessments, parent workshops, therapy sessions and more. consentability.com

PLANET PUBERTY

Planet Puberty is a digital resource suite by Family Planning NSW that aims to provide parents and carers of children with intellectual disability and/or ASD with the latest information, strategies and resources for supporting their child through puberty and beyond.

Planet Puberty was co-designed with adults with intellectual disability and/ or ASD across Australia who guided the design and development of the project at all stages.

Beyond puberty there are a suite of resources and tools such as conversation starters, strategies to try and insights on topics such as safety, consent, pornography, private behaviour, and more. planetpuberty.org.au

SOSAFE!

SoSAFE! provides parents/carers, support workers, teachers, counsellors and other professionals with simple visual tools to enhance the training of social, socio-sexual and social safety skills. Evidence based practices underpin the SoSAFE! Program, which is a set of visual and conceptual tools to promote social and sexual safety for all people, and designed for the learning and communication needs of people with moderate to severe intellectual disability or ASD.

Learn more about their services and tools – sosafeprogram.com

TRUE

The goal of True Relationships & Reproductive Health (True) is to achieve substantial, positive social impact by improving reproductive and sexual health and promoting safe and respectful relationships. True achieves this through the delivery of expert clinical services, education and counselling. Not all of their resources are targeted at the disabled community, however there is a range of materials written for all age groups that could form useful starting points for conversations. true.org.au

EDUCATE2EMPOWER PUBLISHING

Educate2Empower Publishing’s mission is to educate and empower children and the caring adults around them. They specialise in children’s books and resources that address critical topics such as Body Safety, Consent, Gender Equality, Respectful Relationships, Social & Emotional Intelligence, Inclusion and Diversity. While not disability specific, the range of sources is comprehensive and written in clear, simple language. You can buy books online and access free resources at e2epublishing.info