Abstract
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience varying levels of cognitive, social, and communication impairments. Due to these deficits, societal misconceptions reinforce the notion that individuals from this population are incapable of understanding topics such as sexuality, are asexual beings, and are less likely to be taught about sexual health and how to engage in safe sexual behaviors and relationships, when compared to same-aged peers who are typically developing. Consequently, individuals with I/DD are more likely to experience limited interpersonal relations, fewer sexual experiences, and are at greater risk of experiencing sexual abuse compared to individuals their age who do not have I/DD (Grove et al., 2018). This project consists of a literature review on research supporting sexual health education for individuals with I/DD and evidence-based practices for providing sexual health education to individuals with I/DD. The literature reviewed was used to develop the curriculum, Sexual Health Curriculum for Adolescents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Guide to Teaching Positive Sexual Health Practices to Individuals with I/DD, a research-informed tool designed to teach sexual health education content in middle and high school (i.e., 6th-12th grade students). This project serves as a resource for educators and parents/guardians to teach individuals with I/DD about sexual health.