Sexuality & Intellectual Disabilities
Everyone is sexual and has a sexual identity. How you express your sexuality is influenced by many factors, such as your age, culture, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, body image, values, attitudes, and beliefs. These factors also play a role in your choices concerning sexual activity. How, when, and whether you are sexually active with another person is your choice.
Puberty
It is important to be prepared for puberty and the corresponding emotional, physical and social changes. Learning about sexuality and your body prepares you for changes related to your sexual development, such as menstruation and wet dreams. You may find it empowering to be able to take care of your body (e.g. using a menstrual cup or pad, or cleaning up after ejaculation) independently.
Understanding feelings of attraction, developing and maintaining appropriate social skills and comprehension of physical changes may require support, practice and repetition. See our How to Talk about Sex section for tips on talking with partners, health care providers, parents, teachers and others.
Get the Facts
In order to have a healthy and fulfilling sexual life it is important that you understand key issues pertaining to your sexual and reproductive health, including sexual pleasure, contraception and birth control, pregnancy, safer sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
Avoiding Abuse
Being informed about your sexual and reproductive health and rights can help to protect you from sexual violence. It is important that you know:
- how your body works
- that you have the right to say “No” to sexual relations of any kind, and with whom to speak if you experience unwanted sexual contact
- the distinctions between public behaviour and private behaviour
- under what circumstances it is OK to be touched by a stranger (i.e. a physical examination by a health care provider)
- that touching another person without their permission is not acceptable
Know Your Rights
Understanding your sexual and reproductive rights and communicating them to others is important. Rights are about dignity, respect, and responsibility. Being treated with dignity and respect also involves respecting the rights of others by engaging in healthy sexual relationships and practicing safer sex. For more information on your sexual and reproductive rights, see our Sexuality and Disability page.
