title: Sexuality and Disability in Adolescents.
abstract: Healthy sexual development is important for adolescents with and without disabilities, yet the topic of sexuality is often ignored in the disabled population. Adolescents with mild or moderate degrees of disability have rates of sexual activity and reproductive health needs comparable to their typically developing peers. Their need for support, risk reduction, and education in sexual health may exceed that of their peers. The medical provider may support healthy sexual development through education, anticipatory guidance, menstrual and contraceptive management, and by expanding the notion of sexuality to include a broader conceptualization of sexual behavior and expression.
authors.affiliation: Section of Adolescent Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Electronic address: Cynthia.Holland-Hall@NationwideChildrens.org.
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holland-Hall
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Women's L 4000, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Elisabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Quint
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Adolescent; Disability; Sexuality; Sexuality education