Predictors of Access to Sex Education for Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities in Public Schools

• In Event: Roundtable Session 13
  In Roundtable Session: Research in Teaching Students With Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Data from National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 were analyzed to identify variables that predicted the receipt of sex education among individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Results suggested that individuals receiving special education services without ID were only slightly more likely to receive sex education than students with mild ID. The percentage of students with moderate to profound ID receiving sex education was significantly lower. The analysis of special education teacher perceptions of the likelihood of the student benefiting from sex education found that most teachers indicated that students without ID or mild ID would benefit but less so for students with moderate to profound ID. Finally, expressive communication skills were the significant predictor of the receipt of sex education.

Authors

• Lucy Barnard-Brak, Texas Tech University

• Marcelo R. Schmidt, Texas Tech University

• Steven Randall Chesnut, University of Southern Mississippi

• Tianlan Wei, Mississippi State University

• David Richman, Texas Tech University