An exploration of a socio-sexual education program for individuals with developmental disabilities : changes in knowledge and attitudes

People with developmental disabilities (DD) rarely have opportunities to engage in programs that teach about socio-sexuality. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in knowledge and attitudes of people with DD after participating in a 6-week Socio-Sexual Education Program. Participants included 10 adults (5 males and 5 females) with mild to moderate DD who were assessed at the beginning and end of the program using four data tools including: (1) a questionnaire; (2) an interview; (3) observations and (4) personal documents. Analysis of questionnaire scores using a paired sample t -test was significant at the .05 level. That is, participants' scores significantly improved from Time 1 to Time 2. This suggests that participants' knowledge in socio-sexuality improved by participating in the program. Qualitative analysis using themes and case examples revealed that participants had mixed and ambivalent attitudes about issues such as discussing sex, masturbation, STDs and contraception, but showed learning in friendships, intimate relationships, dating, choice, feelings, gender, decision making, personal space, stranger safety, appropriate versus inappropriate behavior as well as identification of male and female body parts, private and public body parts, touch, condom use, hygiene, reproductive health, and abuse prevention. However, major misconceptions for masturbation and STDs were evident. The findings suggest that when SSEP are comprehensive and consider group needs' learning can occur