UC Irvine

Comprehensive sexual education, at a level appropriate for the individual’s developmental ability, is recommended for all persons with Down syndrome. Although resources exist for parents and healthcare providers to facilitate sexual education for individuals with Down syndrome, many are hesitant to provide sexual health information to this population. Furthermore, the most effective approach to educating this population about sexual health is not well established. Previous research suggests that typically developing adolescents rely on multiple sources of sexual education. However, the effect of multiple sources of sexual education on comprehension within the Down syndrome population has not been evaluated by any currently published research. Using data from an anonymous online survey of 94 mothers of individuals with Down syndrome, this study investigated the impact of multiple sources of sexual education, versus zero or one, on reported comprehension of five measures of sexual education comprehension. The measures selected for this study were mother’s report that her son or daughter with Down syndrome understands consent, knows about sexual intercourse, understands that intercourse can lead to a pregnancy and baby, knows how to decline sexual advances, and understands what is appropriate behavior toward romantic interests. In the univariate analysis, individuals who received sexual education from multiple sources were 3.2 to 9.3 times more likely to understand, depending on the specific measure of comprehension. Additional variables related to demographics, the individual’s experience with sexuality and romance, and parental concern related to these topics were compared with sexual education comprehension. Age, gender, reading level, social media use, and dating history of the individual with Down syndrome were consistently significantly associated with the outcomes. After accounting for differences in age, gender, and reading level, receiving multiple sources of sexual education remained a significant predictor of reported understanding for four out of five measures of sexual education comprehension, with odds ratios ranging from 3.0 to 9.0. The results suggest that receiving sexual education from multiple sources may improve learning outcomes within the Down syndrome community. Should the finding be replicated in future studies, this knowledge can be implemented into future programs designed for individuals with Down syndrome and potentially others with intellectual disability.