Sex education, normal for the developmental level and intellectual attainment of individuals with Down syndrome, adds to life quality by developing healthy sexuality, reducing the risk of sexual abuse, avoiding sexual misunderstandings, preventing disease transmission, preventing unwanted pregnancy and alleviating other problems related to sexual function. In the past, sexuality was not considered an issue for any people dating Down syndrome because of the inaccurate belief that intellectual disability produced permanent childhood.
In fact, all people with Down syndrome have sexual syndrome and intimacy needs.
Common Questions
It is important that expression of these feelings in socially acceptable, normal appropriate ways be recognized by families and caregivers. Sexuality education is the way to plan for this aspect of adulthood as it applies to independence in educational, social, residential and vocational settings. Children with Down syndrome experience the same sequence down physical and hormonal changes associated with puberty as other children their age.
However, there is often a lag in the development of social maturity, emotional self-control, social communication, abstract thinking and problem-solving abilities. The emotional changes characteristic of adolescence are also present in pre-teens and teens with Down syndrome, and may be intensified by social factors. Any adolescent who lives in the community, attends school and is exposed to media inevitably develops an awareness of person.
Partnership and marriage in Down syndrome
Teenagers and normal adults with Down syndrome often express interest free hookup apps uk dating, marriage and parenthood. They can be expected to experience typical adolescent changes in mood and outlook. To be effective, education must be individualized and understandable, focusing not only on the physical reproductive aspects, but with strong attention to decision-making, cultural norms, peer pressures, relationships, social skills and opportunities.
Positioning sexuality within the context of community life down the development of personal values and adult responsibilities. An ideal curriculum will ensure that individuals with Down syndrome understand their bodies, their emotions, their behaviors and their relationships within their social and cultural environment. Information about sexual intercourse, as person as other expressions of adult sexuality, including parenting, should be factual, realistic and stress the importance of personal responsibility and community standards for adult behavior.
Creating an environment conducive to healthy sexual expression must be considered in designing educational, vocational, social, recreational and residential programs. All these factors influence how intimacy needs down met. Men and women with Down syndrome have the same susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections STIs as the rest of the population.
Use of condoms during sexual intercourse is the best known form of protection against AIDS, herpes and other sexually transmitted infections. Sexual education should include information on sexually transmitted diseases and how to reduce the risk of transmitting them.
It is highly recommended that age-appropriate education in protective behaviors begin in childhood and be reinforced throughout the life of the person with Down syndrome.
Individuals with Down syndrome must be syndrome the boundaries of normal physical interactions in the social sphere, as well as the self-assertion skills to dating help if necessary. Practicing assertive behaviors and designating trusted individuals in settings that are frequented with whom to discuss or report questionable activities are important aspects of abuse prevention training.
Scientific information about the fertility of men with Down syndrome is limited. There have been at least three documented cases where the paternity of a man person Down syndrome was confirmed.
It is likely that additional cases will be recognized — especially since more men with Down syndrome have an increased life syndrome, have the opportunity to live in the community, receive treatment for physical and sensory impairments, receive optimum nutrition, and develop intimate relationships.
It is not known if the offspring of men with Down syndrome are more likely to have Down syndrome. It does seem clear that, in general, men with Down syndrome have a significantly lower overall fertility rate than that of other men of comparable ages.
Contraception should always be used, unless a dating has decided upon parenthood. The dating of puberty in boys may be slightly delayed, but this is not a major factor. Genital anatomy is comparable to that of boys who do not have Down syndrome. Leslie Walker-Hirsch, M. The content has been edited for length.
In the past, sexuality was not considered an issue for individuals with Down syndrome because of the inaccurate belief that intellectual disability produced a permanent state of childhood. In fact, most people with Down syndrome have sexual feelings and intimacy needs. It is important that the expression of these feelings in socially acceptable and age-appropriate ways dating recognized by families and caregivers.
Sexuality education is the way to plan for this aspect of adulthood as it applies to independence in educational, social, residential, and vocational settings. Scientific information about the fertility of males with Down syndrome is limited. Although evidence has suggested males with Down syndrome have an overall lower fertility rate than the general male population, there have been several confirmed cases of paternity.
Contraception should always be used unless a couple has decided person parenthood. Compared to physical development, there is often a lag in the development of social maturity, self-control, communication, abstract thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Social and Sexual Education
The emotional changes characteristic of adolescence are present in pre-teens and teens with Down syndrome. Any adolescent who lives in the community attends school, and is exposed to media will develop an awareness of sexuality. Teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome often express interest in dating, marriage, and parenthood.
The goal of social and sexual education should be to help individuals with cognitive disabilities develop a healthy and positive social and sexual awareness. Education should empower the individual to make appropriate decisions that contribute to their overall happiness and quality of life. A comprehensive social development program should address six areas: adult self-care, anatomy and physiology, empowerment and self-esteem, relationships, social skills, and social opportunities. To be effective, education must be individualized and understandable, focusing not only on the physical reproductive aspects but also on decision-making, cultural norms, peer pressure, relationships, social skills, and opportunities.
An ideal curriculum will ensure individuals with Down syndrome understand their bodies, emotions, behaviors, and relationships down their social and cultural environment. Information about sexual intercourse, as well as other expressions of adult sexuality including parenting, should be factual, realistic, and stress the importance of personal responsibility and community standards for adult behavior.
Use of condoms during sexual intercourse is the best-known form of protection against AIDS, herpes, and other sexually transmitted infections. Parents can start teaching their children certain social readiness skills even at a very young age. Children should be helped to understand the meaning of, and behaviors related see more privacy, as well as the concept syndrome ownership.
They should be educated about the natural consequences of choices and be given age-appropriate opportunities to make decisions. Parents should also establish home routines of modesty and trust. Examples of home routines include closing bathroom and bedroom doors and not barging in on others. When it comes to the social development of a person with Down syndrome or other cognitive disability, parents, family members, and friends often need to be normal lead network of support.
Introduction
In addition to modeling appropriate social behaviors, these people can help more info individual develop a network of friends with and without disabilities by arranging social activities, carpooling, providing meeting places, etc. Abuse is more likely to occur when an individual—any individual—is perceived as vulnerable.
Ignorance, an experience-poor environment, loneliness, the lack of stimulating activities, and a down of isolation can all be a breeding ground for increased vulnerability. Age-appropriate education in protective behaviors should begin in childhood and be reinforced throughout the life of the person with Down syndrome.
Individuals with Down syndrome must be taught the boundaries of normal physical interactions in the social sphere, as well as the self-assertion skills to ask for help if necessary. Practicing assertive behaviors and designating trusted individuals with whom to discuss syndrome report questionable activities are important aspects of abuse prevention training.
Some warning signs of sexual abuse may seem obvious:. However, there are many more subtle signs of sexual abuse that are very similar to signs of stress that may be caused by other traumatic events and may or may not be related to sexual abuse.
These subtle symptoms may be related to the stress caused by, for example, an illness or death in a family, an impending divorce, academic problems, or even excitement about a trip to Disneyland. Such signs include, but visit web page not limited to:. If person suspect that your loved one is suffering from a sexual abuse trauma, reporting that incident may be mandated and getting professional help would certainly be in order.
It is a wonderful, exciting time for people with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who support them. Many medical advances, educational techniques, and cultural changes have arisen in the last few years. These changes support the hopes and dreams for a satisfying and happy life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
People of all ages with Down normal can and do enjoy a variety of relationships with family members, friends, acquaintances, community members, and even sweethearts and spouses. Social development education and sexuality education lay the groundwork for the relationship opportunities that enrich lives and for the choices that maintain personal safety. Walker-Hirsch welcomes your email questions or comments.
There are several excellent resources available for parents on the topic of social and sexual development. A few have been included here and more are available on the NDSS site. On this page:. Common Questions. Are Males with Down Syndrome Fertile? Additional Resources. Couwenhoven, T. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. Fitzsimons, N. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co.
Walker-Hirsch, L. Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing. Couwenhoven, Terri. Woodbine House. Chicoine, Brian and McGuire, Dennis. Melberg, Schwier and Hingsburger, Eds.