Talking with your kids about friendships, relationships and intimacy

Down Syndrome Victoria (DSV) is a community based, not-for-profit membership organisation. We have a proud history of supporting individuals, families and the community since 1978.We work alongside people with Down syndrome and their families to reach their full potential and live the lives they choose.

Down Syndrome Victoria

Join our two-part workshop about talking with your young and grown kids with Down syndrome about friendships, relationships and intimacy.

Talking with your young and grown children about friendships, relationships and intimacy can be tricky and a bit awkward.As parents and guardians, we often worry whether talking about it gives permission and whether they can be safe from harm when they are in relationships.This two-part workshop will be hosted by Melba Support Services. It will help you become more comfortable talking about this. We will cover what to talk about, when, and the most effective ways to tackle this sensitive area. Please note that this workshop is in two parts:<ul><li>Wednesday 23 July, 7:30pm to 9pm</li><li>Wednesday 30 July, 7:30pm to 9pm</li></ul>When you register, you will be booked in to both sessions. We will discuss topics to cover with your kids, including:<ul><li>appropriate behaviour and touch</li><li>personal hygiene</li><li>social and dining skills</li><li>body parts and functions</li><li>preventing abuse</li><li>body image and self-esteem.</li></ul>We’ll also give you tips for having these conversations and the opportunity to practise. The four modules we’ll cover are:<ul><li>Setting the stage</li><li>Human sexual development</li><li>Tips For talking and teachable moments</li><li>Responding to behaviours.</li></ul>This is an evidence-based workshop first developed by Elevatus, a US-based world-leading sexuality education organisation. All materials have specifically been designed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By the end of this workshop, you will have examined barriers to talking about sexuality, gained knowledge about sexuality and developmental disabilities, and acquired and practice skills in communicating about sexuality with your young and grown children with disabilities. Melba are passionate about providing human-rights-based services for people with disabilities across Victoria including SDA, SIL, holiday and day services. Presenters: David Glazebrook and Dr Anneke Jurgens from Melba ServicesDavid GlazebrookFor more than twenty years, Dave has worked in the disability sector. He believes passionately in equality, human rights and has a zero-tolerance approach to VANE. He loves a world that celebrates diversity!Leading workshops comes naturally to Dave, as a qualified secondary school teacher, he previously ran a theatre education company in primary and secondary schools across Victoria. Dave is also a parent of two children with disability.Dr Anneke JurgensThrough her career, spanning 19-years now, Anneke has mostly developed and implemented training programs with disability support workers, but as a registered psychologist and positive behaviour support practitioner she has also worked directly with individuals with intellectual and developmental disability (children and adults) in designing strategies and plans, as well as implementing structured programs and curriculums. Please note: As part of your registration for this event, your email address will be shared with Melba Services. If you would prefer to not have your email shared, you can choose that as part of the order form when registering. <a href="https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/vic/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/SM016-Privacy-Statement-v3.pdf" title="https://www.downsyndrome.org.au/vic/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/SM016-Privacy-Statement-v3.pdf" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Down Syndrome Victoria Privacy Statement</a>

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