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Home > Sex > Tips

Tips on sex and disabled teenagers

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08 September 2008

It is never easy to talk to your children about sex and if your child has a disability it may be even more difficult. However, not talking about “it” will not make it go away.

  • Start talking to your child early so that problems are less likely to arise – certainly before puberty.
  • Talk openly and casually as this gives the message that it is not something secretive or to be afraid of.
  • Take advantage for example of a situation that might arise on the television and which might help trigger a conversation.
  • When talking about sex, take into account your child’s disability and be realistic. e.g. it might take longer; it might mean experimenting a little.
  • Try to make sure that your child understands as much as they can about love and sex and the difference between wanting to touch and kiss someone and being made to do something that feels wrong or scary.
  • Explain that adults should not usually ask a child to keep a secret, except on a few occasions where a surprise is being arranged for example dad might say `We’re all going to take your mum out for a meal on her birthday, don’t tell her or you’ll spoil the surprise’. Other kinds of secrets, particularly those which involve touching or kissing, should not be kept.

    • If your teenager is considering becoming sexually active they should speak to their GP or Family Planning Clinic. They will need to explain any medication that they are already on because some drugs e.g. antiepileptic drugs may reduce the effectiveness of the pill and the insertion of an IUD in a young woman with epilepsy may trigger a reflex seizure. Any allergies, for example to latex, may also affect the method chosen.

    This content has been written for Parentline Plus by Contact a Family


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