People with a disability deserve all the respect and dignity as they try to navigate this often-confusing world. Acknowledging their autonomy and answering questions in an age and intellectually-appropriate way will help you meet them where they are on their sexual health journey.

Along with providing accurate information for sexual health, contraception, consent and healthy relationships, explaining the social rules of sex is beneficial. Knowing what is acceptable private behaviour and what is acceptable public behaviour can help your child understand their own rights and responsibilities, for example, highlighting topics like masturbation aren't naughty or negative activities; it is a private act usually for the privacy of their own room.

People with a disability have their own thoughts, feelings, needs and desires. Recognising that curiosity and exploration exist and helping them understand when and where they may be able to recognise and explore their sexual health is important. If this is in the form of relationships, bring the other party’s parents in on the conversation to help create transparency and further support. 

By assuming your child ‘doesn’t do that’ or they ‘won’t like that’, denies them the right to explore and understand for themselves. People living with a disability are often wrongly perceived as childlike or asexual. As long as they are in a safe, informed and consenting environment, respect this and allow your child to develop their sexual health.

Allowing others to understand where your child is on their sexual health journey will help keep a consistent message for your child. This could be other family members who care for your child or disability support workers who provide short-term accommodation. Like any other topic, checking in with other carers can keep you informed and on the same page.