Sexual Health and Disablity

Learning about sex

The development of sexuality and emergence of our sexual selves is something that happens to everybody. Some people wrongly regard disabled people as not developing sexually in the same way as non-disabled people. It is true that puberty may begin a little later, or that some disabilities can affect sexual performance, but disability does not prevent sexual maturity, or remove sexual feelings, desires or curiosity.

Even if a disability does cause a loss of sexual function, we remain in tune with our sexuality. The physical and emotional aspects of sexuality, despite the physical loss of function, continue to be as important for disabled people as for non-disabled people.

If information is held back from disabled people (perhaps through a misguided perception that disabled people are non-sexual or through some imposed moral objection) it causes unnecessary anxiety and alienation It can be frightening and confusing for anyone discovering about their sexuality; everyone has sexual needs and should be supported through this process. Lack of understanding can leave disabled people very vulnerable to abuse or exploitation, or exposed to the risks of sexually transmitted infections.

For learning disabled people, society frequently takes the view that they have no rights at all to pursue social and sexual relationships, and are therefore often denied sex education completely. They may need more help to recognise appropriate sexual behaviour and distinguish between public and private behaviours. Also growing up in situations that differ from the norm (for example in an institution) can contribute to difficulties in appropriate social interaction.