Children with mental retardation have a wide range of abilities and disabilities. Most of these students have difficulty learning as easily and comprehensively as their non-disabled peers. Many do not readily understand concepts presented in the abstract. Often the ability to generalize from experience is absent or greatly reduced. These learning characteristics increase the special education students' vulnerability to sexually transmitted disease, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many students with mental retardation live more protected lives than do adolescents without disabilities. This overprotection often heightens the risk of abuse, lack of knowledge, limited assertiveness, and undifferentiated trusting are frequent by-products of this "protected" lifestyle.

Sex education is just as important for these children as any other. Maybe more so. There is nothing terribly unique about sex education for adolescents with intellectual disabilities, except that the approach needs to be simplified to the appropriate level of understanding. Learning can be enhanced with role-playing, interactive games and repetition.

Learning to Love: A Set of Simple Booklets on Sexuality -- Brook Advisory.

These five booklets can be purchased together and are suited for ages 12 and over (or potentially a bit younger). They are simple to read and understand and are geared toward teaching the mentally disabled about their sexuality. Titles are: Conception, From Child to Adult, Sex and Making Love, How a Baby is Born, and Health and Infections. These are written and published in England, so for anyone outside of the area will probably want to contact the company by mail! Bulk rates are available for purchasing these booklets.
Published by Education& Publications Unit, Brook Advisory Centres, 153 A East Street, London SE17 2SD England
Phone: 011-44-71-708-1390.