Teenagers are prone to having crushes, being rejected, experimenting with sex, going on dates, and then moving on to the next infatuation.

It may be hard for you as a parent, but your disabled child has as much right to have their heart broken as any other teen!

Relationships, both romantic and non-sexual, are where we learn our negotiation skills as well as how to be empathetic and caring. They are also where we learn the importance of being assertive and true to ourselves and to reap the benefits of intimacy and connection.

Supporting your child to have good relationship skills, and creating opportunities for them to develop those skills, is crucial.

If your teenager has not shown any interest in developing romantic interests, think about, whether inadvertently you may have given them the message that in some way these types of relationships are not for them.

Protecting your child is a natural instinct, but we need to honour, respect and encourage their desire to become an active romantic and sexual being.

What can we do?

If your child hasn’t mentioned any crushes or love interests to you, you may need to initiate conversations on the topic. Perhaps they’re too shy or embarrassed or think you won’t approve.  Let them know you’re interested in whatever they have to tell you, without judgement or criticism. They may be confused or exploring their sexual identity – let them know they’ve got your support.

Explain the social rules around sex and dating. This means knowing about boundaries in different relationships – good and bad touch, consensual sex, interpersonal space, knowing the difference between a friendly and a romantic relationship.

Teach them about the stepping stones of a relationship from an initial attraction, to asking someone out, getting to know them and to gradually developing intimacy.

Help them with the more subtle aspects of dating and relating – reading other people’s body language, understanding and respecting other people’s emotions and responses. 

Answer fully any questions they have about their own developing bodies and sexuality.  Make sure they know about contraception, how to prevent sexually transmitted infections or diseases.  Knowing about good hygiene and self-care is also a must.

Consider enlisting some of their peers or family members to role-play how they might behave in certain situations. For example, they might practice how to ask someone out on a date. Or they might role-play how they could respond in an argument with a partner.

Help them to identify and cope with feelings that may seem overwhelming at the time – such as hurt and anger when a relationship comes to an end but is not of their choosing, or when they themselves feel unhappy or trapped in a relationship.

Build their self-esteem by allowing them to make their own choices, to increase their autonomy and to express their own personal tastes and preferences.

While all of the above are important, they are redundant unless your child has opportunities to make the romantic connections they desire.

Disabled and neurodivergent teens can be socially isolated, and it can be more difficult for them to engage with the world physically and emotionally. This is where they may need your support the most. So do your best to get them to dances, sporting and community events, to join interest groups and possibly consider online dating if they're over 18.

The teenage years are when we earn our chops when it comes to learning good relationship skills, which will serve us well for the rest of our lives.  Our sense of well-being is largely dependent on our ability to build and maintain positive relationships.

‘We cannot live without relationships, and we cannot live well without high-quality relationships’ – Leslie Walker Hirsch 

You might also be interested in the podcast 'Why are you so obsessed with my sex life? Disability and Dating, produced by Auckland-based disability advocates Olivia Shivas and Rebecca Duder.

For more on puberty, the following articles are available on Awhi Nga Matua.

·        How can I support my teenage disabled/autistic child explore their sexuality?

·        How can I help my disabled/autistic child navigate the emotional storms of puberty?

·        Help! My teenager is using pornography and I don’t know what to do?

·        Help! How can I teach my disabled/autistic teenager that good hygiene is important?

·        How can I help my disabled/autistic child manage their periods?

·        Help! How can I teach my child what’s okay and what’s not, when it comes to masturbation?

·        My child is going through puberty – what is appropriate for their intimate care plan?

·        How can I help my disabled child with their body image?

You might also find the resources below useful, which includes books from the IHC Library as well as helpful website and helpline numbers. Or contact the IHC library direct to have a chat about what you need on 0800 442 442 or email: Librarian@ihc.org.nz.

Helplines:

·        Anxiety New Zealand: 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY)

·        1737: Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor

·        Depression.org.nz: 0800 111 757 or text 4202

·        Kidsline (for people up to 18 years): 0800 543 754

·        Whats Up (for 5 to 18-year-olds): 0800 942 8787

·        thelowdown.co.nz , Web chat, email chat or free text 5626

·        Youthline: 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz

·        Lifeline: 0800 543 354

·        Samaritans: 0800 726 666

·        Suicide Crisis helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)