Social-sexual education for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities

People with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, usually want to have romantic relationships, but often aren’t given the resources to create them in a meaningful, safe way. This is especially true for people with intellectual disabilities. Studies show that these groups are at high risk for sexual abuse. An educational tool called Relationships Decoded, tested in collaboration with the UC Davis MIND Institute, shows promise for helping create healthy, romantic relationships.

A pilot study on the effectiveness of Relationships Decoded, recently published in the journal Sexuality and Disability, suggests that a curriculum that uses fact-based practices can improve individuals’ knowledge and preparation for romantic relationships. This information is also essential in preventing sexual abuse.

A high risk of sexual abuse

“People with all types of disabilities are more likely to be targets of abuse than people without disabilities,” said Kathryn Pedgrift, a clinical psychologist at the North Bay Regional Center and co-author of the study. Previously, she was a special education teacher specializing in abuse prevention and relationship development. “I found that once people are interested in a relationship and put themselves out there, perhaps looking online or dressing up to attract a partner, it puts people with neurodevelopmental disabilities at greater risk of being targeted by predators. .”

A study by NPR found that people with intellectual disabilities are seven times more likely to be victims of sexual violence than people without disabilities.

One reason for this is a lack of knowledge and education about sex and sexual abuse among these people.

The Sex Education Gap

“I just couldn’t believe that we could let people into adolescence without any knowledge or tools on how to even romantically and securely have a relationship,” said Nicole Sparapani, an associate professor at the UC Davis School of Education, MIND Institute. faculty member and study co-author. “I found study after study that said people with neurodevelopmental disabilities often don’t have access to learn about socio-sexual relationships in a real-life capacity.”

Pedgrift notes that many of these individuals have never taken a sex education class or been given information about typical relationships or signs of abuse. “Even those who have had sex is a science course and doesn’t address the social part of sex and relationships, which is critical for people with neurodevelopmental disorders,” she explained.

The Socio-Sex Education Project: A Promising Educational Tool

Between 2017 and 2020, Pedgrift and a team of healthcare providers developed a curriculum designed to teach adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities to create safe and meaningful relationships while also providing them with information about sexual abuse and coercion. Funding was provided through the California Mental Health Services Act in conjunction with the state’s Department of Developmental Services. A panel of people with disabilities gave feedback. The vast majority – 82% – of the 46 individuals in the panel expressed an interest in dating, while 40% said they had never learned anything about relationships or dating.

Pedgrift has created 25 core lessons that support the use of fact-based practices. She included both beginner and advanced programs and called it “Relationships Decoded.” Each lesson contained plans for facilitators to follow, with sample scripts and visual aids such as photos or videos for the students.

To test the program, 10 different California professionals were recruited, including teachers, therapists and behavioral analysts. They taught the curriculum for a year to adults with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The researchers also conducted pre- and post-tests that some participants took before and after participating in the program.

To evaluate the success of the curriculum, Sparapani and Pedgrift analyzed the feedback collected during the testing, the pre- and post-tests and interviewed the pilot testers.

Students participating in the ‘Relations Decoded’ program scored significantly better on the post-test than the pre-test, indicating that the lessons were effective in increasing knowledge and understanding of socio-sexual relationships. Scores improved by 22% from pre- to post-test.

A link between socio-sexual education and success

Sometimes people with intellectual disabilities display socio-sexual behavior that is offensive to others. This can have major consequences.

“They may be missing out on jobs, housing, and meaningful relationships,” explains Sparapani. “This is another area where a curriculum like this can make a huge difference.”

It’s also critical that this training starts preemptively, notes Pedgrift.

“Often people receive this type of training only in response to their unexpected behavior in the community or to sexual assault; they are referred for this training in response to something rather than proactively,” she explains.

The researchers’ next goal is to create a program for high school and high school students, as the current program is aimed at adults.

“Human connection is really fundamental to people, so we shouldn’t isolate people because they have disabilities; they should have access to knowledge like everyone else,” Sparapani said. “My biggest hope is that we start to see all people as people first and then create fair opportunities to lean on sexual relationships.”

The Relationships Decoded Curriculum is: available herefree for providers, parents or interested parties.