STEPS2: Socialization To Enrich Participation & Support Sexuality

Through a participatory process, centering the voices of diverse Lived Experiences Consultants, the first phase of the Socialization To Enhance Participation & Support Sexuality (STEPS2) will revise and pilot test a socialization and sex education curriculum designed for adolescents and young adults, ages 16-27 years, with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). During the subsequent phase the efficacy of STEPS2 will be tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) among 860 adolescents and young adults with mild to moderate I/DD, including Down syndrome. Half of the participants will be randomized to receive the STEPS2 curriculum, and the other half will receive Steps To Your Health (STYH) a previously RCT tested physical exercise and nutrition intervention.

The evaluated outcomes will include proportion of participants demonstrating an increase in social sexual health knowledge, as well as related behaviors: having a sexual health doctor visit, receiving or getting verification of HPV vaccination status, use of contraception (if not desiring a pregnancy), and use of sexually transmitted infection/HIV protection among those who are sexually active. After determining its efficacy, the STEPS2 curriculum will be made publicly available.

CUNY SPH Press Release