by Anne Marie Palazzolo

Created on: June 14, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

The importance of sex education for students with special needs is great. People with disabilities are 70% more likely to be subject to sexual abuse of some sort in their lifetime. It is estimated that only 3% of cases are actually reported. Educating students about what their rights and responsibilities are to themselves is an excellent way to help decrease this alarming number.

Teaching sex education to students in special education carries different laws and procedures than teaching in a general education setting. Having a firm grasp on the content that should be covered in the classroom at each level, as well as the laws and regulations pertaining to sex education, are both vital to a successful program. Teachers must know how to involve and keep parents informed, and be familiar with examples of heath curriculums that would be applicable to special needs students. The broad spectrum of ability levels often found in a special education classroom pose a challenge for the teacher in determining what material the students need to learn, and are mature enough to learn.

Sex education is much farther reaching than the study of puberty and STIs. Issues like sexual abuse, healthy relationships, sexual orientation, and birth control could all be a part of a reproductive health curriculum in a school. The concept of determining a safe person is very important for all students, regardless of their ability level. A safe person is one that the student has established that he or she can turn to for help or advice on anything, without fear or embarrassment. In many special education heath classes, students also learn to distinguish between public and private behaviors. Many students with disabilities, including those with learning disabilities and emotional impairment, need explicit instruction on when or where certain behaviors are appropriate. For example, students need to understand that while it is acceptable to blow your nose in public, it is not acceptable to change your pants.

Understanding the physical boundaries during social interaction is also something important for the students to learn. Reaching beyond, good touch, bad touch, quality sex education curriculums also address things like how to greet the different types of people a student encounters in their lives, and how close you can stand to people depending on where you are. For example, while it is acceptable to kiss your grandma when you see her, it is not okay to kiss your teacher.

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