Relationships & Sexuality (original) (raw)

Individuals with Down syndrome can have many kinds of relationships, including romantic and intimate ones. Learning about sexuality and relationships can help your loved one feel confident and supported as they build close connections with others.

Importance of Sexuality Education

Sexuality education empowers people to make informed and healthy choices about their bodies and their relationships.1 Sexuality education is important to:

Many individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD) do not have access to sexuality education. This may increase their risk for sexual abuse. Sexuality education for individuals with IDD can help teach them how to set boundaries, identify when they may be at risk, and learn how to ask for help.2,3

People who support individuals with IDD may also benefit from accessing sexuality education resources. Please see the resources below for parent specific guides on sexuality education. Parent involvement in sexuality education among individuals with IDD can:

Additionally, educating teachers, paid support staff, and healthcare professionals about the importance of sexuality education for individuals with IDD can help reduce stigma, reinforce social boundaries, encourage appropriate behavior across settings, and create meaningful opportunities for skill-building. Please see the resources below for sexuality education guides for teachers and support staff.

Physical and Emotional Development

Understanding physical and emotional development is an essential part of comprehensive sexuality education. Physical development refers to any growth and bodily changes that happen to children as they age, and emotional development refers to how children interact and form relationships with others.

Children with Down syndrome experience puberty similarly to children in the general population but may experience it a little later.4 Despite slightly delayed puberty in girls with Down syndrome, girls may begin menstruation a little earlier before the general population.

Individuals with Down syndrome experience reduced fertility, but pregnancy is still possible.5,6 If your loved one would like to prevent pregnancy, contraceptive options like condoms or birth control are available. If you and your loved one are interested in learning more about contraceptive options, please talk with your clinician and refer to the Women’s Health & Down Syndrome webpage.

Youth with Down syndrome experience emotional development like their typically developing peers but may experience differences in self-control, communication, abstract thinking, and problem-solving abilities. Like all teens, they may go through mood changes and new feelings.

Teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome often show interest in dating, marriage, and parenthood. They may also need support and acceptance in exploring gender identity and sexual orientation to increase opportunities for healthy sexual expression. Please see the additional resources below for materials on how to support your loved one in exploring their gender identity and sexual orientation.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

STIs are less common in individuals with Down syndrome. However, individuals with Down syndrome can still be at risk for STIs from consensual sexual activity or sexual abuse.

Getting tested for STIs is helpful to identify if someone has been exposed. You can decide if your loved one should be tested for STIs by discussing concerns or symptoms with a healthcare professional. The best way to protect against STIs is by using condoms or barriers like dental dams. Please see the resources below for some materials on how to use condoms, which can be shared with your loved one with Down syndrome.

Consent

Consent is about using clear communication to identify boundaries in various types of situations, including friendships, romantic relationships, and being sexually active. It is important that individuals with Down syndrome know how to ask, give, interpret, and respect consent in their relationships.

Asking for consent allows individuals with Down syndrome to learn how to identify others’ boundaries. Similarly, giving consent allows for individuals with Down syndrome to practice boundary setting with others.

Two key aspects of consent include information and choice. Your loved one needs to know enough about sex, reproduction, and how to communicate their boundaries to make informed decisions about being sexually active. They should also feel empowered and confident to decide which types of contact make them comfortable.

Due to the limited opportunities for sexuality education, individuals with Down syndrome may not know the vocabulary used to talk about consent. You can help your loved one understand the language around sexual activity and consent by practicing asking and giving consent. For example:

Asking for consent can look like, “Is this okay?” or “Can I...?”

Giving consent can look like saying, “Yes” or “I’m okay with that”