Puberty and Sexual Development in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Strategies for Body Awareness, Hygiene, and Healthy Boundaries
Have you ever felt uncertain about how to support children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) as they move through puberty? Or wondered how to respond when a student engages in self-stimulatory behaviors or struggles with personal boundaries and body awareness? While their non-disabled peers often receive clear guidance on body changes, hygiene, and social rules, students with IDD are frequently left without the information and strategies they need—placing them at greater risk for poor self-care, social misunderstandings, and even abuse.
In this webinar, Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, MD, MPH, FAAP, will walk you through the key differences in how puberty and sexual development present in children with IDD compared to their peers. She will provide concrete, developmentally appropriate strategies to build body awareness, autonomy, and understanding of public vs. private behaviors. You will also gain tools to guide hygiene routines, support menstrual management, and address sensitive issues such as masturbation and boundary-setting.
Through case studies and practical examples, Dr. Spinks-Franklin will show how OTs, PTs, and SLPs can collaborate with teachers and families to embed these lessons into everyday routines. She will highlight accessible resources—including visual schedules, social stories, and toolkits—that you can adapt for your learners.
Leave this course with evidence-based strategies and ready-to-use tools to help your students with IDD navigate puberty, self-awareness, and social boundaries with safety, dignity, and confidence. Closed Captioned in English.
BONUS: Practical Toolkit: Cheat Sheet: Strategies for Body Awareness, Hygiene, and Healthy Boundaries; Resources
Adiaha Spinks-Franklin, MD, MPH, FAAP is a board certified Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician. She has more than 20 years’ experience in caring for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and behavior disorders, and in training pediatric health care professionals in the US and abroad. She holds leadership positions in many national pediatric professional organizations. She identifies as Wonder Woman.
Disclosures: Dr. Spinks-Franklin receives a speaking fee from Apply EBP, LLC. She has no relevant nonfinancial relationships to disclose.
At the completion of the course, you are expected to:
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- Identify 3 differences in sexual development of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) versus peers without IDD
- Apply 2 strategies for teaching body awareness and healthy boundaries on a given case study of a child with IDD
- Apply 2 strategies for addressing puberty-related situations (e.g., menstruation, hygiene, self-stimulation) on a given case study of a youth with IDD
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1.5 hours of lecture
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- Statistics and Risks (9 minutes)
- Pubertal Development and Differences (11 minutes)
- Typical Sexual Development (10 minutes)
- Tools and Strategies for Body Awareness, Hygiene, and Healthy Boundaries (35 minutes)
- Who’s Responsible? (5 minutes)
- Case Studies (20 minutes)
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1.5 CE hours of training are awarded after:
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- watching the video, passing the post-test (with a score of 70% or higher), and completing a course evaluation which includes a self-reflection on achievement of learning objectives
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For OTs and OTAs
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- Apply EBP, LLC is an AOTA-approved provider of CEUs (see imprimatur below for details).
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For PTs and PTAs
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- Apply EBP, LLC is an approved provider of CEUs for PTs and PTAs in IL, NM, NY, OK (#BAP202310011), and TX (APS #: 2703055TX)
- This webinar is approved for PTs and PTAs in CA.
- These PT state boards accept approval by other states boards, other state associations, or AOTA: AK, AZ, DE, FL, HI, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, MT, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY and DC.
- These states do not require pre-approval of courses or have no CE requirements for PTs and PTAs: AL, CO, CT, GA, IA, ME, MO, NE, NH and WA.
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For ASHA CEUs
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- 0.15 ASHA CEUs | Intermediate Level
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- ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures
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For Teachers
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- Apply EBP is an approved sponsor of CTLE for educators in New York State (#23827)
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If you would like to obtain CEUs for another state, please email carlo@applyebp.com.
Learners must watch the video and complete course requirements, including scoring 70% or higher in the post-test to receive a certificate. Three (3) post-test retakes are allowed; if you exceed this limit, please email carlo@applyebp.com.
Webinar Price: $65 for 1-year access to watch and re-watch
Payment Options
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- Pay via Credit Card or PayPal: You are registered instantly!
- Pay via Purchase Order: Email vicki@applyebp.com
Cancellation Policy
There is no cancellation once webinar is purchased. You will have access to this course for at least 1 year. If the webinar becomes unavailable before the learner has had access, Apply EBP, LLC will refund the full amount to the learner. Please email or call us if you have any questions.
Accommodations Request
Please email or call us before registering for the course with any questions or requests for accommodations. We will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations.
Complaints Resolution
We welcome all feedback. Please email or call us if you have any complaints so that we may work with you towards a resolution.
Contact Info:
Carlo Vialu
646-269-90391 year
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Testimonials
“Phenomenal presenter! Such useful information pertaining to ADHD in schools and especially executive function which is coming up more and more in schools and as questions for OTs.” – OT with 7 years experience, on Adiaha’s “Boosting Impact of OT, PT, and Speech Services for Children with ADHD“
“The course was straight to the point with lots of applicable information. The instructor was very knowledgeable and clear, organized and very engaging.” – SLP with 17 years experience, on Adiaha’s “Boosting Impact of OT, PT, and Speech Services for Children with ADHD“
“I appreciated the practical suggestions that were given. The instructor was also very engaging. “ – PT with 7 years experience, on Adiaha’s “Boosting Impact of OT, PT, and Speech Services for Children with ADHD“
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