Professional Development Spotlight: Supporting Healthy Development from Childhood to Adulthood
At bitKIDS, we are committed to ongoing learning that helps us better support the children, youth, and families we serve. In May 2026, Senior Therapist Danielle Abbatangelo attended From Childhood to Adulthood: How to Set, Teach, and Evaluate Goals Related to Sexuality Development and Other Supporting Areas for Autistic Learners, led by Dr. Peter Gerhardt and Dr. Jessica Cauchi.
One of the most important messages from the training was that sexuality development is about much more than sex. Comprehensive sexuality education includes teaching a wide range of skills related to safety, communication, self-advocacy, relationships, personal boundaries, and independence. These skills are essential for all children and should begin early through age-appropriate teaching and practice.
A key example discussed during the training was consent. While consent may seem like a complex concept, it is actually made up of many smaller skills that can be taught throughout childhood. These include:
- Asking for permission
- Waiting
- Accepting when someone says “no”
- Expressing preferences
- Saying “no”
For many autistic learners, these skills require explicit teaching, repeated practice, and opportunities to generalize across different people and environments. This aligns closely with the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). As behaviour analysts, we specialize in breaking complex skills into manageable steps and providing the support needed for learners to become successful and independent.
The training emphasized that by focusing on meaningful, functional skills throughout development, families and professionals can have a significant impact on long-term health, safety, and quality of life. Teaching these skills proactively helps prepare children and youth to navigate relationships, advocate for themselves, and make informed decisions as they grow.
At bitKIDS, we recognize that conversations about sexuality development can sometimes feel challenging for families. However, these topics are an important part of supporting the whole child. By introducing foundational skills early and building upon them over time, we can help children develop safety, self-awareness, and independence.
Resources for Families
Families interested in learning more about sexuality education and healthy development may find the following resources helpful:
Podcast
Books
- The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Younger Girls by Valerie Schaefer
- Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys by Cara Natterson
We are grateful for opportunities like this that allow our team to continue growing professionally and bringing valuable knowledge back to the families and learners we support.
