May 18, 2016 4 min read

Since Arc Human Services started more than 65 years ago, it has worked to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fulfilling lives.

But sexuality education wasn’t addressed, though people with intellectual disabilities experience the same range of thoughts, feelings and desires about sexuality as anyone else, and are at an increased risk for sexual abuse.

Arc introduced “Me Too! Real Talk about Sexuality for People of All Abilities,” developed by Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski, a sexuality educator and counselor, to arm people with intellectual disabilities with the information and skills they need for sexual health.

The results are positive, said Christy Lewis, director of Arc of Washington County.

“While this began as a pilot program and when we started it, we said, ‘Let’s give it a shot.’ We’re thrilled with the success we’ve had with it,” Lewis said. “We wanted to make sure talking about sexuality was no longer taboo. If somebody has a question about sex, let’s just talk about it, and let’s make everybody comfortable with it. In most cases, our team members are the ones who are there every day with our folks and they know them the best, so why not give them this resource they can use?”

Added Podgurski, “I believe sexuality education is for everybody. Every person has the right to medically accurate, nonjudgmental information about sexuality. We really need to work on changing culture to be more aware of sexuality needs of everybody. Sometimes, people forget that individuals who are different are sexual beings, just like everybody else.”

Arc provides services in nine counties, operates more than 75 residential sites and provides in-home services.

Doug Pickens, clinical director for Arc, said the clinical model for Me Too! is used in all of Arc’s homes.

Arc’s residential homes, Pickens said, are respectful of residents’ rights to have relationships and right to privacy – something lacking in many residential homes.

“Our team members have become comfortable and confident talking about sexuality,” said Pickens. “For some of our residents, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. It could be something as basic as anatomy. And we now provide uniform, accurate answers.”

Podgurski instructed about 30 master teachers during a five-day training course. The master trainers teach other staff members in the group homes, and new employees undergo a Me Too! orientation.

Me Too! emphasizes body-positive, nonthreatening messages (“Did you know you’re amazing inside and out?” and “Trust your feelings if something feels like it’s not OK.”) and provides games and learning activities for all abilities. Podgurski created a teaching manual for the staff and a colorful, informative book for mentally handicapped youth and adults.

Podgurski, founder of Washington Health System Teen Outreach and author of several books, presented Me Too! at Arc National conventions in Orlando, Fla., in 2012 and in New Orleans, La., in 2014.

Podgurski said there are two common misconceptions about people with intellectual disability: they are asexual and have no sexual needs, or they have extreme, out-of-control sexual needs.

“That’s not the case,” said Podgurski. “They’re just people.”

Lewis said Arc wants people with disabilities to have the same access to information, advice and support and their peers.

Beth Bailey, a 27-year-old woman who lives in an Arc residential home in Houston, said the Me Too! lessons and discussions with Arc team members about topics ranging from love and candlelight dinners to how her body works have helped her feel more comfortable with herself.

That’s one of the goals of Me Too!.

Said Podgurski, “We want them to know that they’re people of worth, they matter, their feelings matter, and their bodies are perfect for them.”