February is Disability Awareness Month. It’s also the month of Valentine’s Day. This month is a good time to talk about relationships. Today, we’re going to bust some myths. Some people have wrong ideas about what people with IDD want, need, and deserve from romantic relationships.
We talked with three people with IDD about these myths. Here’s what they had to say.
Myth: People with IDD don’t have the same feelings and emotions as others.
This is not true. Brandy told us people with IDD do have the same feelings and emotions. They often want the same companionship and romantic relationships.
Paz agrees. They told us people with IDD may process those emotions in a different way. But they still feel the same feelings.
Myth: People with IDD aren’t smart enough to have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Mary told us this is also not true. Wanting a romantic relationship isn’t about how smart someone is. Most people want to love and be loved. They want to share their heart with a special person. They want to feel close to someone. And they want to find a soul mate.
Myth: You have to be with someone sexually or romantically to be happy.
Paz told us this isn’t true. Some people find happiness through deep friendships. They might not want sex or romance to feel connected to others. That’s okay. They can have strong relationships with friends. Their soulmate might be a close friend.
Myths Are Harmful
Myths about relationships are harmful. This is especially true for people with IDD. When others believe these myths, they may treat people with IDD unfairly. They might exclude people with IDD.
This can make people with IDD feel more lonely. It can make it harder for them to build relationships. It can make it harder to find connection with others.
How We Can Support People with IDD
We can all help by challenging these myths. We can listen to people with IDD and respect their choices. And we can support their right to love and connection.
We can treat people with IDD like everyone else. Everyone deserves respect. Everyone deserves to feel valued. And everyone deserves the chance to build the relationships that make them happy.
Want to Learn More?
- Visit our Healthy Sexuality resource hub. It has videos, research, blog posts, and more.
- Watch the Myths About People with IDD playlist on our YouTube channel.
- Build your self-advocacy skills with our free courses.
Connection matters. When we challenge myths, we help create a world where people with IDD can build the relationships they want and deserve.