TEACHER OPINIONS ON SEXUAL EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY IN LATVIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2021vol3.6383Keywords:
adolescent, intellectual disabilities, sexual education, special education teachersAbstract
Sexual education plays an important role in preparing children and adolescents for a safe and productive life. Sex education provides not only knowledge about different types of sexual issues, or about common sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, sexual violence, but also personal identity, safety, love, intimacy and relationships.
This study was conducted in order to examine the opinions of special education teachers working with adolescents with intellectual disabilities on sexual education. A descriptive study design was used. The authors designed a questionnaire to explore the opinions of 72 special education teachers in Latvia.
The research results approved how crucial it is to provide opportunities to receive sexual education for adolescents with intellectual disabilities at school.
References
Abbott, D., & Howarth, J. (2006). Still Off-Limits? Staff Views on Supporting Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People with Intellectual Disabilities to Develop Sexual and Intimate Relationships? Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20, 116-126. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3148.2006.00312.x
Asagba, K., Burns, J., & Doswell, S. (2019). Sex and Relationships Education for Young People and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism. West Sussex: Pavilion Publishing and Media.
Baines, S., Emerson, E., Robertson, J., & Hatton C. (2018). Sexual Activity and Sexual Health among Young Adults with and Without Mild/Moderate Intellectual Disability. Public Health, 18, 1-12. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5572-9.
Brown, F. J., & Brown, S. (2016). When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty. London: Jessica Kingsley Publisher.
Couwenhoven, T. (2001). Sexuality Education: Building a Foundation for Healthy Attitudes. Disability Solutions, 4, 1-16.
Frawley, P., & Wilson, N. (2016) Young People with Intellectual Disability Talking About Sexuality Education and Information. Sexuality and Disability. DOI: 10.1007/s11195-016-9460-x
Güven, Ş. T., & İşler, A. (2014). Sex Education and Its Importance in Children with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing, 6, 143-148.
Hartman, D. (2014). Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Kammes, R. R., Douglas, S. N., Maas, M. K., & Black, R. S. (2020). Parental Support for Sexuality Education and Expression among Adults with an Intellectual Disability. Sexuality and Disability, October.
Kviese, E. (2020). Seksuālā izglītošana pusaudžiem ar garīgās attīstības traucējumiem. Diplomdarbs. Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte.
Löfgren-Mårtenson, L. (2012) “I Want to Do it Right!” A Pilot Study of Swedish Sex Education and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities. Sexuality and Disability, 30, 209-225. DOI: 10.1007/s11195-011-9239-z
Lunsky, Y., Durbin, A., Brown, H. K., Bansal, S., Heifetz, M., & Antoniou, T. (2017). Health Profiles and Associated Service Use among Adults with HIV and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. AIDS, 31, 697-705. DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001361
Schaafsma, D., Stoffelen, J. M. T., Kok, G, & Curfs, L. M. G. (2012). Exploring the Development of Existing Sex Education Programmes for People with Intellectual Disabilities: An Intervention Mapping Approach. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 26, 157-166. DOI: 10.1111/jar.12017
Tamas, D., Brkic-Jovanovic, N., Rajic, M., & Prkosovacki, B. P. (2019). Professionals, Parents and the General Public: Attitudes Towards the Sexuality of Persons with Intellectual Disability. Sexuality and Disability. DOI: 10.1007/s11195-018-09555-2
UNESCO. (2018). International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000260770
Wickström, M., Larsson, M., & Höglund, B. (2020). How Can Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Be Enhanced for Young People with Intellectual Disability? – Focus Group Interviews with Staff in Sweden. Reproductive Health, 17, 1-11.