Guest Speakers: Amanda Bruce, Low Incidence Consultant, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC)
Relationships and Romance: Everyone needs love and connection. Persons with a disability have the same needs and wants of any young adult or adult in regards to intimacy and romantic relationships. Due to a person’s physical, emotional, behavioral and communication needs this can often be a scary or uncomfortable topic for parents/guardians/caretakers. It is important to recognize the needs we all have as human beings and find appropriate ways for a person with a disability to safely engage in intimacy and romantic relationships. This session will cover some basic issues in research around this topic and the challenges and the positives that I have experienced as the sibling and the spouse of an Autistic person.