When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty

Sarah Brown is a clinical psychologist who specialises in supporting the psychological wellbeing and empowerment of children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the community. Sarah has worked with families and education staff in special schools to promote a social constructionist approach to sexuality, supporting children through everyday interactions and conversations as well as through specific educational programmes. She currently works for the NHS in South Wales with people who have intellectual disabilities. Freddy Jackson Brown is a clinical psychologist who works in Bristol, supporting children and families with a range of developmental needs, including sexuality and relationships. He has researched mindfulness and acceptance based interventions that can be used in home, school and work settings. He has published over 20 research and professional articles in peer reviewed journals and books. Freddy provides teaching for postgraduate university training courses on child development, disability and communication.

Puberty, sex and sexuality challenge many of us as we grow up, and then again as we parent our own children. Supporting a young person through puberty who has a diagnosis of intellectual disability or autism may add layers of complexity associated, for example, with learning and communication, increased vulnerability, the law and ethics. The authors of this book combine enormous wisdom with deep compassion and insight to deliver an uncompromising yet tactful and sensitively written guide presented in plain terms that almost everyone will understand.

• Foreword by Professor Richard Hastings. 1. A Brief History of Sex. 2. Why Read this Book? Healthy Development and Keeping Safe. 3. Biology, Bodies and Growing Up with Intellectual Disabilities. 4. Bodily Changes. 5. Behaviour. 6. Feelings. 7. Relationships. 8. Sexuality and the Law: What does the law say about sex and young people with learning disabilities/Autism?. 9. Sex Education Programmes.