Giant Steps Living Lab Learning Series | Sexuality education in autism and intellectual disability

Sexuality education is an essential part of the development, well-being, and self-determination of autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities. Yet they may face barriers in accessing sexuality education that is adapted to their needs, their realities, and their level of understanding. This talk will focus on sexuality education for autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing on the research literature, it will address the needs of youth, practitioners, and teachers, the content to prioritize, and teaching strategies that support adapted and meaningful learning. The roles of the different people involved will also be discussed, along with two sexuality education research projects: “Connexion Spectrum” and “Moi, ma sexualité, mes choix”. The talk will conclude with a discussion period to reflect on practices and challenges encountered in the field.

Speaker

Sophie Higgins is a professor at the School of Psychoeducation at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue and an affiliated researcher at the Institut universitaire en déficience intellectuelle et en trouble du spectre de l’autisme. She holds a PhD in psychoeducation, and her research focuses on sexuality education, sexual identity, and gender identity among autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities.

Her work also addresses program evaluation and the development of professional practices, particularly to help practitioners feel better equipped to discuss sexuality. She is beginning a collaboration with the Giant Steps Living Lab to adapt the Connexion Spectrum program for high school students and to pilot new sexuality education tools with youth with intellectual disabilities.

Programme