This is about Elevatus Training, which is a Sexual Education program for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities. This was originally published in 2021 The full interview is in video below. If you prefer the podcast version, just click the link above. The full interview transcript is at the end of this post, with the highlights proceeding it. Sex Ed and Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: Why We Need to Talk About It Sex education and intellectual or developmental disability (ID/DD) is one of those topics that many parents instinctively shy away from—but it’s absolutely essential. This is not an optional conversation. It's one of those "musts" that sits high on the list, right alongside safety, communication, and autonomy. While exploring what’s out there in the way of sexuality education for people with ID/DD, I came across the work of Katherine McLaughlin. Her website immediately stood out—not just for the depth of the content, but for the tone. It was clear: she gets it. Her approach is grounded in respect, empowerment, and genuine connection with the disability community. She isn’t approaching this work from a top-down, clinical perspective—she’s meeting people where they are and honoring their lived experiences. Her trainings speak directly to self advocates, parents, educators, and support staff. They're practical, affirming, and designed to build real understanding around sexuality, safety, and healthy relationships. It's the kind of education that doesn’t empowers as it informs. I reached out to Katherine to see if she'd be willing to meet, and she graciously agreed. We spoke over Zoom, and I recorded our conversation so I could share it with you. You’ll find the video of our interview below. It's full of insight, warmth, and wisdom I think all of us can benefit from. https://youtu.be/C4xlPk39fvc An Interview with Elevatus Training's Katherine McLauglin on Sexuality Education and ID/DD Key Takeaways from Elevatus Training and Sex Education with ID/DD Katherine McLaughlin is a veteran sexuality educator and trainer with over 25 years of experience, specializing in sexuality and developmental and intellectual disabilities. Her journey began at Planned Parenthood, where she noticed a lack of support for individuals with disabilities in sexual education. Her passion deepened after acquiring a spinal cord injury and becoming a wheelchair user, which offered personal insight into how disability can shift societal perceptions and reinforce the need for inclusive, empowering education. Katherine developed her curriculum in collaboration with self-advocates from Green Mountain Self-Advocates, embedding a core principle of “nothing about us without us.” The result was a team-taught model where people with disabilities co-lead sexuality education classes alongside professionals. Her work now includes a wide array of training: from 3-day professional intensives to online classes and in-service trainings for self-advocates, parents, and staff. Notably, she recently completed a 3-year project in Michigan training 25 professional/self-advocate teams to teach throughout the state. She emphasizes that barriers to sexual education for disabled individuals often come not from the individuals themselves—but from parents and staff who fear or misunderstand sexuality and disability. Common myths include beliefs that disabled people are asexual or childlike, or that talking about sex will encourage sexual behavior. Katherine counters these misconceptions with evidence: education delays sexual activity and increases safe practices. Body autonomy is central to her teachings. Many people with disabilities are conditioned to comply and lack agency over their own bodies and lives. Through empowering practices—like small games that reinforce personal choice—Katherine helps students internalize the right to say no and own their decisions.