ACE'ing The Spectrum: Navigating Healthy Relationships & Wellness for Autistic Adults & Adults with IDD

Are you an autistic adult, an adult with IDD or a caregiver of a person 16 years of age or more, seeking to empower yourself or your loved one with the knowledge and skills to navigate healthy relationships, understand consent, set appropriate boundaries, grasp social norms in dating, and prioritize safety? If so, then AutismTN's Navigating Health Relationships & Wellness for Autistic Adults & Adults with IDD might be for you. 

This six week course is adapted from Equal Voices: a course led by a health educator that provides a comprehensive sex education adapted to meet the needs autistic people and individuals with IDD. This program prioritizes the safety and well-being of participants and fosters a deep sense of self-empowerment by exploring key topics:

Understanding Consent: Participants will develop an understanding of the importance of consent, boundaries, and how to identify unhealthy relationships. Participants will be able to recognize abuse, and know who to contact for help.

Puberty & Anatomy: Participants will increase their knowledge of the changes that happen in the body during puberty, the importance of maintaining proper hygiene, and appropriate behavior in public and private places.

Navigating Social Norms in Dating: Gain insights into the often complex world of dating, equipping you with the tools to navigate social expectations and communicate effectively.

Staying Safe: Participants will discuss tips for how to stay safe when online, including what is okay and not okay to share online. Participants will also review what cyberbullying is, and what someone can do if they are experiencing cyberbullying.

Awareness Matters

It's important to acknowledge that autistic individuals and those with IDD have an increased risk of being sexually assaulted or becoming victims of human and sex trafficking. Data from the Justice Department paints a concerning picture: people with disabilities, both women and men, are the victims of sexual assault at rates more than seven times higher than those without disabilities. We are committed to addressing these concerns and empowering our community to stay safe. 

Event Details

Who: Appropriate for people ages 16+
Dates: Meets weekly from June 3rd to July 17th (Please note that in observance of Juneteenth there's no session on June 19th)
(Attendance at all six sessions is expected for a complete learning experience)
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM CST
Location: Online via Zoom
Cost: AutismTN Members - $10 per person | Non-Members - $20 per person

***Sessions will not be recorded

Course Facilitator

Jordan Herrera is a Heath Education graduate from Cal State Chico. Previously working as an Autism Specialist for the Department of Education and Health in Hawaii, Jordan understands the importance of providing sexual reproductive health education to youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, as a Health Educator with Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties, Jordan oversees Special Programs and is committed to educating and empowering youth and adults through the Equal Voices program.

Articles to explore

UD professor explains how systemic shortcomings enable sexual assault against disabled individuals

The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About
The Extent and Nature of Autistic People’s Violence Experiences During Adulthood: A Cross-sectional Study of Victimization
The Disability Community & Sexual Violence