Boyfriends & Girlfriends: A Guide to Dating for People with Disabilities

Everyone knows that dipping your toe in the dating pond can be a little intimidating without first seeking some expert advice. And that's exactly what Terri Couwenhoven delivers in her new book written expressly for teens and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Boyfriends & Girlfriends explains the do's and don'ts of dating and validates their normal, age-appropriate desire for companionship and romance.

The book covers the biggest questions and smallest concerns of every would-be dater, including:

- Who is an appropriate dating partner & who is not

- How to read signals & judge whether the interest is mutual

- How to ask someone out on a date

- How to turn down a date

- How to handle rejection

- What sexual feelings are

- How to work through problems in a relationship

- What to do when a relationship is not working

Written and illustrated for a hi/lo reader, Boyfriends & Girlfriends is perfect for anyone who is already in a relationship, ready to start one, or still only dreaming about it. The guide is also an informative read for parents, counselors, and other support providers.

ISBN-13: 9798218062484

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Tc Services

Publication Date: 09-10-2022

Pages: 130

Product Dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.28(d)

Terri Cowenhoven is a sexuality educator who works with people who have intellectual disabilities and Clinic Coordinator for the Down Syndrome Clinic of Wisconsin at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii

Chapter 1 Dating Basics 1

What Is a Date?

Why Do People Date?

Are You Old Enough to Date?

Are You Ready to Date?

Chapter 2 Sexual Feelings and Crushes 9

What Are Sexual Feelings?

What Is a Crush?

Handling Sexual Feelings & Crushes

Chapter 3 Starting a Boyfriend/Girlfriend Relationship 17

Step 1 Find Someone Who Interests You

Step 2 See If the Person Is Interested in You

Step 3 Spend Time Getting to Know Each Other-Date!

Chapter 4 Sharing Touch & Affection 41

Types of Touch and Affection

Rules for Sharing Touch and Affection

Respecting Your Partner's Boundaries

Chapter 5 How Are Things Going? 51

Step 4 Evaluating Your Relationship

Types of Relationships That Don't Work Out

Chapter 6 Fixing Problems 59

Is the Problem Fixable?

Fixing Problems

Chapter 7 Do You Feel Respected? 65

Signs Your Relationship Is Unhealthy

Other Danger Signs

Chapter 8 Time to Break Up? 77

How Do You Break Up?

If Someone Breaks Up with You

Chapter 9 Time to Get More Serious? 85

Thinking about a Future Together

Where Should You Live?

Should You Get Engaged or Married?

Sharing Touch and Affection in More Serious Ways

Conclusion

Dating Dilemmas 103

Online Dating Sites 113

Index 115