My twelve-year-old daughter has a cognitive disability. She has also reached puberty and I need to start talking with her about “the facts of life”. Where can I find good resources that will help me with this undertaking?

Approaching issues of sexuality can be difficult for many parents. What do you include? What should be left for later discussions? Parents of children with developmental disabilities need to be able to convey this important information in understandable terms. A great teaching tool that can assist parents is available at no cost on the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center website at www.moddrc.com  under “Getting Developmental Disability Info: Fast Facts and other products”. From there go to the document entitled “Sexuality: Preparing Your Child with Special Needs”. You can also find information on puberty by clicking on the Fast Facts “Becoming a Young Woman” and “From Boy to Man”. Additional information on sexuality and children with disabilities can be obtained from the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Resource Center at 800-444-0821.