Select Page

Sexual Health

Puberty and sexual health is an area of your child’s development that should be thought about, discussed and planned for.

We hope our resource ‘Puberty, adolescence and sexual health’ (see link below) will guide you through your child’s puberty into adulthood and answer some of the common queries about sexual health for adults who have Down’s syndrome. The resource aims to help allay anxieties, give advice and, where needed, suggest some ways forward by explaining the options available and providing information about where to seek support.

About Sexual Health

It is important that parents and carers are able to access support for their child or young person and to be aware that there are many professionals who are able to support them and their child from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.

Puberty and sexual health is an area of their child’s development that should be thought about, discussed and planned for. It is best if this is done in advance and support should continue throughout their adult life.

Further Info & Advice

If you have any questions about health issues, you can call DSA’s Helpline (Tel: 0333 1212 300) or email using info@downs-syndrome.org.uk. If an information officer is unable to answer your question, they can make a referral to the medical adviser at the UK Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group (DSMIG).

Please note DSMIG can provide general advice about health issues but they are not able to comment on individual test results. DSMIG are happy to take enquiries from health professionals but they will not take direct from enquiries from families or supporters.

Resources and useful organisations

Down’s Syndrome Association

Let’s Talk About Relationships And Sex – Teenage Resource

A set of relationship and sex education resources that can be used with teenagers. The resources have been specifically designed for the learning strengths and challenges of people who have Down’s syndrome.

We have created five packs of digital resources that can be downloaded (after completing a registration form) and delivered on a subject by subject basis by parents and carers.

The subjects covered are:

  • Consent
  • Privacy & boundaries
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Acts
  • Sexuality, gender and safe sex
  • Illustrations – a collection of acessible, clear and uncomplicated illustrations that can be used to increase understanding of private body parts and sexual acts

 

Let’s Talk About Relationships And Sex – Trainer’s Guide

This training package has been specifically designed for the learning strengths and challenges of people who have Down’s syndrome.

The training will be facilitated by those who purchase the resource, such as a care provider, a local authority, support group or a parent or carer, who will use the resource to deliver eight sessions covering all aspects of Relationships and Sex. The resource is suitable for adults aged 18 and over. The training resource is made up of 8 different sessions covering:

  • Rights
  • Consent
  • Privacy and boundaries
  • Sexual acts
  • Sexuality, gender and safe sex
  • Relationships
  • Online safety and self esteem
  • Recap session