“Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and sexuality”
By: Terri Couwenhoven, M.S.
Overview:
Parent may think it’s adorable when their 3-year-old with Down syndrome moons her grandmother or an older child hugs the bus driver. But when that child is a teenager who is ready for his first kiss or hasn’t learned the norms of privacy, it’s a different matter all together. Author and certified sexual educator Terri Couwenhoven, who is also the mother of a child with Down syndrome, encourages parents to be proactive and talk directly and openly to children, teens, and young adults about their bodies, personal boundaries, privacy, puberty, sexuality, relationships, and abuse prevention.
In an easy-to-read, disarming style, Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries and Sexuality gives parents the background and confidence to speak comfortably with their children about these sometimes difficult subjects. Each chapter—from Learning about the Body to Friendships and Dating—highlights key points, activities, and parent statements. Extensive appendices contain teaching materials and aids, including illustrations of body parts and functions. And because people have different attitudes about sexuality, the author prompts parents to consider their personal and family values on a particular topic before teaching begins.
“This is the book parents have been waiting for! It allows them not only to gain factual information about human sexuality but also provides easily understandable, concrete suggestions for educating children and youth with intellectual disabilities about this essential aspect of life. It is the resource for anyone who cares about educating kids with learning challenges about human sexuality and related life skills.” –Pamela Boyle, MS, FAACS, Clinical and Training Consultant on Sexuality and Disability.
