RelateAble

Thanks to whoever left this in Ballyannan woods today ❤️🌳

Many of you may by now be aware of the controversy surrounding some of the books available on loan in some public libraries. In NO shape or form do I agree with the direct action style of protests that have been going on in libraries in recent months - I personally don't think it's fair on the front line library staff. I know one book in particular, This Book Is Gay, by Juno Dawson, has been particularly highlighted as being very s*xually explicit. I actually ordered this book myself a couple of months ago from my local library (as they apparently don't keep a copy in house) so that I could see for myself exactly what the book comprised of. In my opinion, a small portion of it is VERY crude and VERY s*xually explicit. I also dislike the whimsical, almost childish overall tone of the book and the use of rather juvenile slang words for various s*xual acts. I know there was a lot of talk about this particular book being displayed in the children's section of Cork city library. I don't know if this was the case in the past but certainly when I popped into the library on the Grand Parade on Monday, it is not in the children's section - for those who may not be aware and for anyone that might be concerned, the children's section is actually a separate and distinct room from the adult section of the library. Within the adult section of the library, it seems to be displayed in a young adult section. I am genuinely unclear as to what age group Cork City Council/library feels constitutes a young adult. The book is slightly puzzling in this regard as it talks about adults The parts of the book that I feel are unsuitable for children and younger teenagers are primarily the parts giving instructions on how to download dating apps and how to engage in s*x acts. I don't agree with the style of protest that has been going on in recent months AND as I have said previously, I started RelateAble as I wanted to empower parents with the skills and knowledge to impart their own values and beliefs to their children. This book is freely available from Cork City library and can be ordered from Midleton library - why not take a look and decide for yourself? Remember, you are the expert on your child ❤️

People often joke about 'The Talk' and I like to say that ideally 'The Talk' shouldn't happen. Rather, it's better for children and in particular for children with intellectual disabilities that a series of regular, gradual, age appropriate conversations take place around s*xuality and s*x as a child goes through various stages of childhood. Children with intellectual disabilities oftentimes need to have new information repeated constantly to help them remember the key learning points.

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Hope everyone has a wonderful day and gives it socks!!

This is why I advise parents, where at all possible, to teach their child chronologically age appropriate skills i.e. the skills that ALL children/teenagers that age learn. These include closing the bathroom door to go to the toilet, not talking to anyone and everyone about the fact that you are having your period, wearing a bra/bra top, not touching your 'private parts' in public places etc. The harsh truth is that many people outside of your own family, special education school etc. won't care what developmental age your child is or what disability they have - they will just see socially inappropriate behaviour. All these skills can be developmentally adapted to your child e.g. social stories, role play etc. These are the kind of topics we discuss in my 2 hour presentation for Parents/teachers How to Talk to Your Child About Sexuality 🙂

Delighted to have hosted not one but two workshops today at Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School. A delightful bunch of young girls - a credit to both their families and teachers 🤗 We kicked off with a 2 hour Preparing for Puberty workshop for some of the girls earlier today followed by a presentation to parents later in the afternoon on How to Talk to Your Child About Sexuality. Thanks so much OLGC for having me 😊❤️

Did you know that the excellent, plain talking, 'Ellie' books - suitable for young women with Autism and related conditions, also come in a version for teenage boys/young men? The Tom books cover identical topics but from a male perspective. The Author Kate E. Reynolds along with the illustrator, have done a great job of writing a short, very easy to understand and explicit book on Public vs Private behaviour. I highly recommend both versions 👏

I bought this book earlier in the year on . This is a VERY explicit (you have been warned lol!!), straight talking, picture book (with short, easy to read sentences). It discusses ma********on and the concept of public Vs private behaviour (something I also discuss in SOME of my workshops/courses). This is book is aimed at teenage girls and young women with ASD and related conditions and I would highly recommend it.