Hey {{ FirstName | default: 'Friend' }} - in this email we will share:
- our new DSHN innovation partners!
- prompts for starting conversations based off of stuff we're watching, listening to, and reading
- DSHN's fave shows & movies showing dynamic disabled people in relationships
- #WeStartedTheConvo and resources on how parents & kids can talk to each other about sexual health
- upcoming events
You can always connect with DSHN in other ways, too:
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Introducing our newest DSHN Innovation Partners!
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Adagio House is a nonprofit counseling agency dedicated to accessible mental health care for caregivers and disabled individuals within the context of community. They offer (in-person and virtual) individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy, and onsite respite care.
As an Innovation Partner, Adagio House's staff will be fully trained in evidence-based sexual health for disabled people, applying this knowledge to their psychotherapy services that support and build the skills of caregivers and disabled individuals.
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Autism Society of Central Virginia (ASCV)
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The Autism Society Central Virginia (ASCV) serves the region's individuals with autism, their families and friends, and professionals through education, advocacy, programs, services, and support.
With DSHN, ASCV will implement developmentally- and age-appropriate, evidence-based relationship & sexual health education for autistic youth ages 10-14 and their caregivers. Teaching students early on, along with supporting families and educators to encourage youths' skill development across environments, will build a strong foundation for high self-esteem, healthy relationships, safety, community participation, and self-determination.
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Ease: Empowerment, Advocacy & Sexuality Education
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Ease offers sexuality education classes for teens and adults with I/DD, workshops for their parents, and professional development for support staff and employers. They fill the gap of inaccessible sexual health by adapting sexuality education to meet individuals' learning style, teaching it in a safe and supportive environment, and empowering them to be self-advocates and sexual self-advocates. All teen classes include parent meetings, where Ease guides parents in how to talk with and support their young people as they grow and experience relationships. Ease also offers classes for people with I/DD who were arrested for a sexual offense as part of a Jail Diversion Program, and offers information and skills in their classes to keep folks with I/DD from committing these offenses and out of the legal system.
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Media to lead to meaningful conversations
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Watching or listening to TV or movies this winter? The media is where so many of us get information about what is "normal" when it comes to dating, beauty and body image, friendships, relationships, boundaries, and more. But, what TV, movies, and social media present as "normal" may not be what most people's experiences are - and it definitely doesn't always show what we should be striving for. That's why watching or listening to media together can be an awesome entry point into conversations about sexual health topics such as healthy relationships, communication, conflict, listening to our feelings, and hypotheticals.
Prompts for starting a conversation with your friend or family member while watching, listening, or reading something together...
- Does this [romantic, platonic, familial, work] relationship seem healthy to you? What are some signs that it is healthy or unhealthy?
- What do you think of how [these characters] are dealing with conflict?
- How did you feel watching [scene]? What scenes made you feel [emotion/bodily sensation (click for list)]?
We also love when the stuff we're watching and listening to includes authentic representations of disabled folks. Below is a list of shows and movies that feature disabled people in dynamic romantic, platonic, and familial relationships.
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Next to the title is the CommonSense Media age recommendation and where it's available to stream (most can be found on other platforms for purchase, though - to find out where you can watch it, Google search "watch [name of media]")
Atypical (13+, show available on Netflix)
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (15+, movie available on Netflix)
Crip Camp panel: Let's Talk about Sex: Our Bodies, Our Lives & Reproductive Justice [password: 4R*7%2^7]
Love on the Spectrum (14+, show available on Netflix)
My Beautiful Stutter (10+, movie available on Discovery+ and to rent elsewhere)
Sex Education (16+, show available on Netflix)
Special (15+, show available on Netflix)
Speechless (12+, show available on Hulu)
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It's time #WeStartedTheConvo and got a prize for it!
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- 87% of teens say it would be easier to delay sex and avoid pregnancy if they could have more open conversations about it with their parents. [1, 2]
- Teens who report having good conversations with their parents about sex are more likely to delay sex, have fewer partners, and use condoms and other birth control when they do have sex. [1, 3, 4]
A little information can turn what appear to be awkward and intimidating conversations into opportunities for connection and empowerment.
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If that's not enough of a reward, DSHN will send swag to anyone who shares about their conversation and tags #WeStartedTheConvo and @dshn_va. (if on private, email dshn@jmu.edu a screenshot)
In your post or story on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, we welcome you to share whatever you're comfortable with...here are some prompts:
- what sparked/motivated the conversation
- how it felt to talk about this
- what you learned by both listening and informing
- pictures of you both before and after the conversation
- screenshot of a video you watched or a powerful quote that came out of the convo
- a meme with your feelings before and after the convo
- what parents' parents told them about sex vs. what you discussed
This is a great opportunity to celebrate and learn from each other as we have conversations that may be new for many of us!
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Every month we will highlight a few events relevant to disability-inclusive sexual health and education. Follow our Google Calendar to view these and many more events!
Are you aware of or hosting an event you think would be relevant? Send/forward event info to dshn@jmu.edu!
Click on the event name to register & learn more.
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"Let's Talk About Sex: Sexual Health and Wellness Workshop for Parents of Students with Disabilities" - Monday 12/13/21, 6-8:30pm ET, Zoom - PEATC
If you find it uncomfortable to talk with your child about sexuality and puberty, you're not alone. Most parents do. However, being comfortable talking about this with your child is so important, as these conversations are critical to your child's health and safety. Parents know their children best and are the ones who determine when and what information their child needs regarding sexual health. This online training will provide information for parents/guardians and offer practical tools and strategies you can use along your child's journey to adulthood.
Gender-inclusive sex-ed workshop - Thursday 12/16, 4pm ET, virtual - The Inspiration Project ($15)
A workshop with best-selling author and sexuality educator Melissa Pintor Carnegay. If you're an educator or youth-serving professional that's looking for inclusive ways to prepare the next generation, join this interactive virtual workshop. In it, we will explore: why gender-inclusive puberty education is so important, activities and teaching methods that foster greater inclusivity in puberty education, and top resources to help you implement gender-inclusive puberty programming in your area. 50% of profits for this experience will be donated to Intersex Justice Project.
Human Sexuality 101 for 8-12th Graders with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities - Mondays 6-7:30pm, 1/24-4/18/2022, virtual - EASE
Sexuality education and advocacy skills, paired with appropriate social skills, give teens the ability to make healthy choices, prevent abuse and see themselves as informed sexual beings. 3 parent meetings will address how to have the conversations, answer questions, and help parents feel more comfortable.
Cost: $850 - ask about payment plans!
Register & questions: EaseEducates@gmail.com or 703.598.2010
Human Sexuality 101 for Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities - classes for 16 weeks on Zoom, either Evenings (Tuesdays from 7-9pm) or Morning (Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30am), Jan-May 2022 - EASE
Sexuality education and advocacy skills give people the ability to make healthy choices, prevent abuse and see themselves as sexual beings. Individuals receiving accurate and age appropriate instruction, and related social skills, are better prepared for healthier relationships and to advocate for themselves.
Evenings: Tuesdays, 7-9pm, January 4-May 3 (no class 1/18, 2/8)
Mornings: Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30am, January 5-May 4 (no class 1/19, 2/9)
Cost: $1050 - ask about payment plans!
Register & questions: EaseEducates@gmail.com or 703.598.2010
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