Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the Development of Positive Relationships and Healthy Sexuality
Description
This is a joint ANCOR/AAIDD sponsored webinar.
The development of positive social relationships and healthy sexuality are critical to people living quality lives. This webinar will focus on the importance of sexuality and sexuality education in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, specifically in light of current service delivery systems and person centered planning.
Through her presentation, Leslie Walker-Hirsch—an internationally recognized expert on the subject—will emphasize the "normalness" of sexuality and will offer suggestions to administrators, clinicians, family members, direct support professionals, advocates and self-advocates as to how they can support positive social development and sexuality for the people they serve.
She will also share information on the CIRCLES curriculum series, a multi-media tool to effectively teach social boundaries to this group of learners that can be implemented across many settings by staff and families.
Note: all times are Eastern
Speaker
Leslie Walker-Hirsch is an educational consultant who specializes in social and sexual development for individuals with intellectual disabilities. She is an advocate, author, lecturer and the co-creator of the CIRCLES curriculum series. She is the founder and chairperson of the AAIDD Special Interest Group on Social and Sexual Concerns, is the former president of the General Division of AAIDD and has achieved fellowship status in that organization.
Her publications include The Facts of Life... and More: Sexuality and Intimacy for People with Intellectual Disabilities; Down Syndrome: Visions for the 21st Century, Chapter 22: "Building Relationships/Social and Sexual Development"; A Guide to Consent, Chapter 4: “Consent to Sexual Activity.”