Growing up, relationships, puberty and sexual awareness for disabled young people

 Bringing up a disabled child or young person can be difficult at times but understanding their feelings on relationships, sex, and puberty can prove a challenge!
This page provides information for parents and carers to support their older child or young person with various relationship issues.

Good sex and relationship education (SRE) informs children and young people about relationships, emotions, sex and sexuality and sexual health. It also enables them to develop life skills and a positive attitude to sexual health and wellbeing.
​This can include relationships with family/friends, making friends, sexual awareness, puberty, pregnancy and contraception.
Despite a willingness to talk about sex and relationships, many parents are unsure how to go about it. They worry and think they may not know enough and lack the confidence to talk and listen confidently without embarrassment.

Please also refer to the national support organisation for families with disabled children for more information:
Contact (previously known as Contact A Family - general information)
​Contact (growing up and relationship information)

CONTACT have produced 2 helpful guides - one for parents and one for young people.
Please click on the pictures below to download your copy.​

Growing Up – Resources List and Contacts
(Compiled by Contact)
 
1.MENCAP
https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/mental-capacity-act
https://community.mencap.org.uk/t/teenage-sexuality/2627
 
2.DOWNS SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/
 
3.THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
Sex education - a guide for parents
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/family-life-and-relationships/sex-education/parents-and-carers
 
4.KIDS
Kids offer relationship and sexuality discussion groups led by young disabled people aged 13-25, which covers a variety of subjects. 
https://www.kids.org.uk/relationships-sexuality
 
5.COUNCIL FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/news-opinion/news/cdcs-joint-conference-puts-spotlight-discussing-sex-and-relationship-young-people-disabilities
 
6.FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION
https://www.fpa.org.uk/relationships-and-sex-education. 
Mainstream resources which may be useful, and specialist information and products.
 
7.LOVE LIFE: RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
Topics: Schools Deaf and disabled children Safeguarding and child protection
NSPCC (2019) Films and supporting resources aimed at young people aged 11 to 25 to help them learn strategies for staying safe as they grow up and gain independence. For Secondary children and young people. Film and online. Free
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/schools/love-life