Workshop: Challenges of......Growing up

[Guest guest]

Cheryl, thanks for your comments.

As a mom of a 17 y.o. I would have loved to have been at the workshop you

mentioned. Are you aware of written information that would help with these

issues for our children? Books or Websites? I've been afraid to type in

" sexuality " or the like in a google search.

Thanks for any help from anyone on this issue.

Shirley

----- Original Message -----

From: wildwards@...

CMancari@... ; janmarie21@... ; atate526@... ;

Interestingly enough, today I was at a workshop for The Challenges of your

Child's Growing up: Individuals with Special Needs and Puberty and Sexuality.

Part of the presentation dealt with young adults with disabilities that get into

trouble because of their urges surrounding sexuality. One of the things

mentioned was that when people with mental retardation break the law, the

competency piece that comes under evaluation is not always " what process did

they go through before taking action, do they understand all the consequences

and ramifications and so on ... but a simple " do they know it was wrong? " If

they do, then certain legal actions can follow. Repeat offenders can be

institutionalized. This is especially tough for young adult men with mental

retardation if they interact inappropriately with younger girls or younger boys.

We have to help kids keep their impulsivity under control!

Cheryl in VA

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