Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review

(1) Background: The experience of sexuality by individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder represents a significant challenge for themselves, as well as for parents, educators, and researchers. (2) Methods: Eighteen studies exploring sexual education programs aimed at individuals with ID and...

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Main Authors: Célia Oliveira, Sarah Ozorio, Verónica Gomes, Soraia Araújo, João Lopes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/685
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author Célia Oliveira
Sarah Ozorio
Verónica Gomes
Soraia Araújo
João Lopes
author_facet Célia Oliveira
Sarah Ozorio
Verónica Gomes
Soraia Araújo
João Lopes
author_sort Célia Oliveira
collection DOAJ
description (1) Background: The experience of sexuality by individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder represents a significant challenge for themselves, as well as for parents, educators, and researchers. (2) Methods: Eighteen studies exploring sexual education programs aimed at individuals with ID and their caregivers were analyzed in the context of a scoping review. (3) Results: The prevention of sexual abuse, the development of healthy relationships, and the promotion of sexual autonomy are the main themes of the reviewed programs. The interventions include multimodal approaches, such as visual materials, practical activities, and role-playing, resulting in significant gains in participants’ sexual knowledge. Some limitations in conceptualization, participant recruitment, program variability, and the lack of follow-up were found. (4) Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the importance of expanding the research into sexual education for individuals with IDD and of designing programs with clearer theoretical frameworks, structure, and goals.
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series Education Sciences
spelling doaj-art-33c3076b72db483cbee1700f41d2d63d2025-08-20T02:24:30ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-05-0115668510.3390/educsci15060685Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping ReviewCélia Oliveira0Sarah Ozorio1Verónica Gomes2Soraia Araújo3João Lopes4Faculty of Psychology and Education, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Porto, PortugalFaculty of Psychology and Education, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Porto, PortugalFaculty of Psychology and Education, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Porto, PortugalFaculty of Psychology and Education, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Porto, PortugalFaculty of Psychology and Education, Lusófona University, 4000-098 Porto, Portugal(1) Background: The experience of sexuality by individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder represents a significant challenge for themselves, as well as for parents, educators, and researchers. (2) Methods: Eighteen studies exploring sexual education programs aimed at individuals with ID and their caregivers were analyzed in the context of a scoping review. (3) Results: The prevention of sexual abuse, the development of healthy relationships, and the promotion of sexual autonomy are the main themes of the reviewed programs. The interventions include multimodal approaches, such as visual materials, practical activities, and role-playing, resulting in significant gains in participants’ sexual knowledge. Some limitations in conceptualization, participant recruitment, program variability, and the lack of follow-up were found. (4) Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the importance of expanding the research into sexual education for individuals with IDD and of designing programs with clearer theoretical frameworks, structure, and goals.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/685sex educationintellectual disabilityinterventionscoping review
spellingShingle Célia Oliveira
Sarah Ozorio
Verónica Gomes
Soraia Araújo
João Lopes
Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review
Education Sciences
sex education
intellectual disability
intervention
scoping review
title Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review
title_full Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review
title_fullStr Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review
title_short Sex Education for Individuals with Intellectual Development Disorder (IDD): A Scoping Review
title_sort sex education for individuals with intellectual development disorder idd a scoping review
topic sex education
intellectual disability
intervention
scoping review
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/6/685
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