Sexual Health Education and Classes

OVERVIEW

Empowering Students with Disabilities Through Comprehensive Sexual Education

Sexual education is more than a curriculum, it’s a vital tool for personal empowerment, safety, and self-advocacy. For students with disabilities, access to meaningful sexual education can address unique challenges while fostering independence, confidence, and dignity.

Sexual education equips individuals with knowledge to make informed choices, understand healthy relationships, respect boundaries, and advocate for themselves. Comprehensive sexual education empowers students with the tools they need to stay safe and navigate their lives with confidence.

SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION FAQS:

At NESCA, we recognize that no two students are the same, and our Sexual Health Education is designed to meet the unique needs of each student or young adult we work with. Our highly individualized coaching sessions and group programs provide accurate, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive education to help adolescents and young adults navigate topics related to relationships, self-advocacy, and sexual health.

We focus on essential life skills that are often not covered in school curricula, or that our students have not been able to access, and that can be challenging for parents to address independently. Our goal is to equip students with the skills necessary to make informed and safe decisions about their bodies and relationships.
NESCA’s Sexual Health Education instruction is provided by Sarah LaFerriere, M.Ed., a Licensed Special Educator, Transition Specialist and Sexual Health Trainer. Ms. LaFerriere has specialized expertise in supporting students with autism and developmental disabilities and also works with clients with a wide range of learning and social-emotional needs. The customizable curriculum covers essential topics, such as identity, relationships, communication, decision-making, consent, body awareness, and personal safety.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL WE GET? WHAT IS THE COST?
Sexual Health Instruction at NESCA is $220 per hour 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 hour-long individual or group lessons.

HOW ARE COACHING SESSIONS DELIVERED?
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.

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.

WHAT IF I WANT TO TEACH MY CHILD ABOUT SEXUAL HEALTH?
NESCA does offer 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.

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.

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

Families may also complete NESCA’s Intake Form at: www.nesca-newton.com/intake
and indicate interest in Student or Adult Coaching as a service.