Relationships and Consent Education for Adolescents with Intellectual Disability: A Scoping Review

Adolescents with intellectual disability have a right to sexuality education, including relationships and consent education. This scoping review explored relationships and consent education for adolescents with intellectual disability. We searched across four databases (Scopus, Medline, Web of Science and PubMed) to identify studies focusing on the provision of, experiences with and needs of education on relationships and consent for adolescents aged 12-19 with intellectual disability. Based on the inclusion criteria, 20 studies were eligible to be included in the review. The findings suggest that despite adolescents' strong desire for comprehensive, evidence-based education on relationships and consent, the depth and content of the education provided varied by the provider type. Many educators and parents felt unprepared to address complex relationship and consent topics, resulting in inconsistent and often risk-focused education. The review indicated the need for more tailored resources, engaged learning methods, increased training and support for providers, and collaborative approaches between different providers. Future consent and relationships education could benefit from moving from a risk-based approach to focus on personal development and the promotion of sexual well-being for adolescents with intellectual disability.