Sexual Health Education

Empowering Students with Disabilities Through Comprehensive Sexual Education

At NESCA, we believe comprehensive and meaningful sexual health education is an essential part of promoting safety, self-advocacy, healthy relationships, dignity, and independence. Our individualized coaching and group programs are designed to provide adolescents and young adults with accurate, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive education tailored to their unique learning profiles and needs.

We focus on important life skills and topics that are often not adequately addressed in traditional school curricula, are difficult for students to fully access, or can be difficult for families to navigate independently. Instruction helps students build the knowledge and confidence needed to make informed, safe, and respectful decisions about their bodies, relationships, and personal boundaries.

Curriculum topics may include:

  • Identity and self-awareness
  • Healthy relationships and communication
  • Consent and boundaries
  • Decision-making and self-advocacy
  • Body awareness and personal safety

NESCA’s highly customizable Sexual Health Education services are provided by Sarah LaFerriere, M.Ed., Licensed Special Educator, Transition Specialist, and Sexual Health Trainer. Ms. LaFerriere specializes in supporting students with autism, developmental disabilities, and a wide range of learning and social-emotional needs.

 

Sexual Health Education FAQs:

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL WE GET? WHAT IS THE COST?

Please contact our office or complete our Intake Form for pricing details. Sexual Health Education instruction at NESCA is billed hourly and is not covered/reimbursed by insurance. Sessions are pay-as-you-go, and there is no minimum number of sessions required. The full curriculum is 22 lessons with a substantial portion focusing on friendship and communication. The curriculum is intended to be amended or adapted, and most students participate in 6-12 one-hour-long individual or group lessons.

WHO IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR?

Training is geared toward adolescents and young adults who either aren’t receiving or aren’t accessing sexual health education in their school setting – or who did not receive adequate training in school. It is also a fit for individuals who have limited ability to advocate for themselves with regard to relationships and/or sexual health. Instruction can be delivered individually or in groups. Students who are younger than 12 or 13 are unlikely to be a fit for this model, depending on their maturity level.

HOW DO WE START?

Families who participate in sexual health education at NESCA complete our standard Coaching paperwork as well a sexual health and safety questionnaire. Parents may have an independent intake with Ms. LaFerriere to share background information and any specific concerns they have regarding sexual health and safety. Using the intake paperwork and parent intake, a coaching plan is developed regarding the number of sessions and topics for coaching. Teens and young adults also fill out a pre-test early in the coaching process to ensure that no critical instructional areas are missed.

HOW ARE COACHING SESSIONS DELIVERED?

Based on availability, NESCA offers both remote and in-person coaching options, and the specific format is selected based on the student’s or young adult’s instructional needs.

WHAT IF I WANT TO TEACH MY CHILD ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH?

NESCA offers a consult model for parents who are struggling to broach these topics with their children. We are able to teach very specific strategies in answering questions/providing information to their child and offer visual supports that can be used without the coach present.

For a 15-minute informational call, please contact Sarah LaFerriere at: slaferriere@nesca-newton.com.

To learn more or book sessions, families may also complete NESCA’s Intake Form at: www.nesca-newton.com/intake.