A proposal for an in-service teacher training course on sexuality and disability based on a review and meta-analysis of intervention studies

Abstract

The relationship between sexuality and disability is still complex, especially in the school context, where teachers who are generally not trained in this area must undertake sexuality education. The aims of this research were to analyse the existing literature on sexuality education school interventions for students with disabilities; and to plan a proposal for an in-service teacher training. Relevant databases in Education were searched to collect the papers, using two keywords: ‘sexuality education’ and ‘disability’. 315 papers were collected and those not written in English and interviews, editorials or reviews were excluded. Two authors independently reviewed these papers for data extraction. The 83 final papers were distributed in the following categories: sexuality education (n=22), professionals and family (n=27), aspects of sexuality of disabled individuals (n=28) and theoretical questions (n=6). In the category of sexuality education, the range of publications was between 1998 and 2015, and especially on intellectual disabilities (n=10). The reading of these 22 papers resulted in the sub-categories: material procedures/ resources (n=7), programme/ proposals of sexuality education (n=8), analysis/ evaluation of a sexuality education programme (n=4), and curriculum (n=3). Of the 22 papers, 16 were studies of theoretical and 6 empirical nature. The analysis of these six papers indicated the following convergent aspects of sexuality education: theoretical justification, programme objectives, materials used, procedures/ methods, results obtained and evaluation. From this literature review it was possible to plan an in-service teacher training and formation course on inclusive sexuality education involving students with disabilities which includes the topics and pedagogical methods/ techniques that are most effective in developing students' competencies for the promotion of their own sexuality and sexual health and those of their community.