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Question:
I would like to teach a class on sexual diseases and alternative lifestyles to the adults but I need help with getting the information. Do you have any suggestions.
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Answer:
by Susan Ludwig: (05/26/2004)
Dear A.,
Thank you for your question about sexuality education -- especially related to sexually transmitted disease and alternative lifestyles. I would like to address these things separately and would invite you to write for more information in any of the areas.
First of all -- sexuality education. It has been my experience that there are two important things when it comes to sexuality education for special needs groups. First is content and second is process. Content is important in that it must be accurate and simple to understand. This is very important -- because sometimes we offer explanations that can be simplified to a point where they are misleading. I recall one case of a man telling a staff member that he had "blood in his penis." The staff member initiated all kinds of medical investigations about this -- thinking that the client was complaining about discomfort. In the end, it was discovered that the client had been taught that an erection meant that a man had ‘blood in his penis' and he was simply describing something to the staff person! Be very clear about your facts -- and be sure that the way you present them is not misleading! The best way to do this is to have colleagues on whom you can call for networking and advice!
Second is process. Most of us do not learn well by simply hearing information. Most people learn best by participating in some kind of activity. I am always cautious about recommending "hands on" sexuality education -- but there has to be some way that clients can participate in the learning process in a way that is meaningful to them! Group dialogue is a powerful learning/teaching tool -- and most of what I have learned about teaching individuals with developmental disability has been from watching clients support each other in a group. The sexuality curriculum (available from the health unit where I work) gives examples of some of these activities that will help to facilitate learning. (See the resources section)
Finally, I would like to address what you say about "alternative lifestyles." I'm not sure what this means to you -- but if it means teaching about other than heterosexuality -- then I would invite you to turn to the experts -- those people living successfully in that lifestyle! They have access to current and accurate information -- and can help give your clients an opportunity to see that lifestyle in real life!
I would suggest that you have a colleague (or a network of colleagues) with whom you can share ideas and rehearse content. This is important from an ethical standpoint as well as from a standpoint of needing support to offer what will be seen by many as a very innovative learning experience!
Keep in touch, and let us know if we can provide you with further information!
Sincerely,
Susan Ludwig, R.N., B.Sc.
Reviewed by Sexual Health Editorial Team
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