title: Sexuality issues and gynecologic care of adolescents with developmental disabilities.
abstract: All human beings are sexual from birth to death and all children and adolescents with or without disability or chronic illness must incorporate appropriate sexuality concepts into their processes of development from childhood to adolescence. This article considers sexuality issues and reproductive care of adolescents with developmental disabilities. Potential consequences of disability on sexuality are reviewed, including sexual abuse and sexual dysfunction. Comprehensive sexuality education is vital for normal growth and development of all youth including those with developmental disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics and Human Development, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, 1000 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-1284, USA. Greydanus@kcms.msu.edu
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Greydanus
authors.forename: Hatim A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Omar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development / Q000502:physiology*; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D019529:Sexuality / Q000502:physiology*