Training parents and providers to promote healthy sexuality and relationships among youth with intellectual disabilities

Sexuality is a fundamental component of health and well-being for all individuals, including youth with intellectual disabilities. Like their peers, these youth have the right to comprehensive sexuality education that is responsive to their learning needs and supported by informed caregivers. To address this need, two training approaches, face-to-face (F2F) and blended learning (BL), were implemented and evaluated. The F2F workshops (n = 27) consisted of six hours delivered in a single day, while the BL workshops (n = 29) included three hours of online learning followed by three hours of in-person instruction over a two-week period. Using a mixed methods design, data were collected from parents and service providers (e.g., educators, nurses, therapists, and social workers), to assess overall learner reactions and five outcomes: knowledge, perceived comfort, self-efficacy, attitudes, and application of learning. Results indicated that participants in both training formats reported positive learning experiences. Significant improvements in knowledge, perceived comfort, self-efficacy, and attitudes were observed immediately following training and were maintained at six-week follow-up. Additionally, more than half of participants reported applying the knowledge gained from their respective training programs within six weeks of completion.