REBECCA Koller, the American author of 'PossAbilities: An instructor manual for teaching relationship training to students of all abilities', believes that "every person is sexual and has the right to (sexual) education."

She wrote the 10-week social skills curriculum with Winifred Kempton, an expert in this field in the United States for many years.

Koller, 55, has also trained others to teach the curriculum and spoke about this topic at conferences.

In an email interview with The Star, Koller stressed the importance of delivering sexual education to children with learning disabilities.

"In the past, this population has been kept or 'shielded' from information and education about sexuality because of the misconception that it is unnecessary, useless, or even dangerous.

"As a result, a population that is at significantly greater risk of abuse than any other has been made more vulnerable," she said.

In general, Koller revealed that sexual education for the learning-disabled group included "learning about being a boy or girl and understanding changes that occur in our bodies and why."

It also included making choices about their bodies, boundaries as well as public and private situations and interactions, and different types of relationships.

Whilst advocating right to sexual education, Koller also acknowledges the challenges involved in presenting the topic to children with learning disabilities.

"I believe that the information provided in sex education should be the same for any population, although the type of materials and methods of presentation should be different," she said.

The presentation and teaching method will differ to suit a person's level of understanding and needs. For those with learning disabilities, Koller recommended that "materials must be life-like instead of diagrams or line drawings.

"The students also often need on-going review or help using the information outside of the classroom. Concepts must build one upon the other and be given in smaller increments in order to help with learning."

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