Examples Of Developmental Disability

Developmental Disabilities can affect many aspects of a person's life. One aspect that is often overlooked is how having a developmental disability affects a person’s sexuality. According to the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act; A Developmental Disability is defined as, a severe chronic disability that originated at birth, is expected to continue indefinitely, and substantially restricts the individual's functioning in several major life activities (About Developmental Disabilities, 2018). Examples of Developmental Disabilities include: Autism, Behavior disorders, Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Fetal alcohol syndrome, Intellectual disability, and Spina Bifida. People with Developmental Disorders can range from high
However, Developmentally Disabled children may not understand why their body is changing. This is why it is important for their caregivers to explain to them that the changes that they are seeing and feeling are normal and are happening to their peers as well (Richeson, 2015). It is also recommend that the caregiver for Developmentally Disabled children discuss appropriate behaviors and privacy. This is because children with Developmental Disorders may have trouble picking up on social cues. Puberty is likely the time when Developmental Disabilities start to show signs of sexual attraction and desire towards others (Richeson, 2015). For this reason it is important for the caregiver to have a discussion about sexuality and how to express their feelings in appropriate
However, these individuals actually have the right to choose their sexuality, and that sexuality should be affirmed, defended, and expressed any way they prefer (Sexuality, 2013). It was thought for decades that those with Developmental Disabilities are asexual, meaning they have no need for a loving or meaningful relationship. This snowballed into causing those with these disorders to be affected in gender identity, self-esteem, friendships, body image and awareness, emotional growth, and social behavior. Those with Developmental Disorders also lack appropriate sex education in school and other settings. The lack of knowledge, as well as the bad connotation of people with Developmental Disabilities, cause these individuals to engage in sexual activity as a poor option, out of manipulation, loneliness, or physical force instead of engaging in sexual activity to actually express their sexuality (Bedard,Zhang,Zucker,2010). There have been actual studies performed to see if disabled individuals sexually identify themselves in a different way, but the the studies have found that the majority identify themselves as being heterosexual, followed by bisexual and then