• Education and Training
• Housing
• Transportation
• Finances and Money Management
• Legal and Advocacy
• Assistive Technology
• Recreation and Leisure
• Healthy Living

Maturation and Adult Intimacy

Growing up and maturing is a complicated process. It includes the basic human needs of being liked and accepted, displaying and receiving affection, feeling valued and attractive, and sharing thoughts and feelings. It also includes the physical and hormonal changes in your body. Developing a strong self-image and understanding of your body is important.

Adolescent to Adult Maturation

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that parents and pediatricians discuss sexuality with all patients, including individuals with disabilities. Sexuality is a topic that some might prefer to avoid, but persons with disabilities need information and advice about what is happening in their bodies.

It is important for young people have formal education about maturation. It is also important if you have difficulty understanding or processing information. The risk of exploitation is higher among people with disabilities, thus increasing the need for accurate education and information. The likelihood of abuse is lessened when maturation and sexuality are discussed within the family.

The AAP recommends that an appropriate program for children and youth with disabilities cover the following material:

• Body parts
• Changes at puberty
• Personal care and hygiene
• Social skills
• Medical examinations
• Sexual expression
• Contraception strategies
• Rights and responsibilities of sexual behavior

Learn more about this by having discussions with your family doctor, your parents and family, or others whom you trust. Understanding your sexuality and making choices requires accurate information and includes your own knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and values.

Adult Intimacy

Making choices about intimacy is a reflection of your upbringing and knowledge. Intimacy is psychological, emotional and physical. Consider all of these aspects of intimacy in advance of physical intimacy. Defining your own boundaries can determine your own willingness to proceed or not with intimate relationships.

When choosing to begin a sexual relationship, there are also health considerations. Your doctor can provide advice for things such as protection against sexually transmitted diseases and preventing unplanned pregnancy, as well as how your disability impacts your relationship. Being prepared with necessary prophylactics or birth control requires advance planning. Communication with your partner is very important.

For More Information contact your doctor or see the follow resources:

• Breast Health Access for Women with Disabilities: A community partnership of women with disabilities, breast cancer survivors, medical professionals and grassroots disability rights organizations located in Berkeley, California. Medicaid Recipients with Disabilities.
• Girls Health: Focuses on many health topics that respond to adolescent girls' health concerns and motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors using positive, supportive and non-threatening messages. A special feature is a Disability and Chronic Illness section for girls.
• Gynecological exam providers in Utah (surveyed by CSHCN): This list includes providers from across Utah who self-identified in a 2005 survey to all Utah Gynecologists.
• How to Do a Testicular Self Examination: For men, starting at age 15, monthly self-exams of the testicles are also an effective way of getting to know this area of your body and thus detecting testicular cancer (TC) at an early - and very curable - stage.
• Sexuality and the Disabled: This Medical Home newsletter provides information for primary care providers and families including a discussion of myths; American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for education about sexuality; tips for parents; and resources, books, and websites for parents and providers.
• Sexuality of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities - Pediatrics: This American Academy of Pediatrics' Clinical Report provides additional information and guidance for providers relating to puberty, psychosocial considerations, sexual abuse, sexuality education, and the pediatrician's role.
• Sexuality/Reproductive Issues, Utah Med Home Portal: Sexuality is a normal part of the human experience at any age, but it is about much more than sex. Expressed in many ways, our sexuality includes the way we walk, dress, and interact with each other. It affects the way we see ourselves and also influences the way we are seen by others. Although our society often ignores issues of sexuality in regards to people with disabilities, caregivers can provide valuable information and support in this area for their patients and their families.
• Table Manners and Beyond: All women need to receive regular gynecological exams. Women with disabilities should have exams at the same frequency and for the same reasons as other women. This website is designed for women with developmental disabilities and other functional limitations, and their health care providers. It offers information on many topics besides exams, including midwives, birth control, midlife issues, a sample questionnaire, as well as a lot of useful information for actually giving an exam including how to reduce stress.