Among Friends

03/11/2026

At Among Friends, we believe every teen deserves access to clear, respectful, and inclusive s*xual education - including teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
When families are supported with the right tools and have open conversations, young people gain confidence, understand consent, build healthy relationships, and strengthen self-advocacy skills.
S*x education isn’t optional. It’s empowerment. 💙
Learn more and explore resources at among-friends.org.
*xualHealthEducation

03/05/2026

We have a dynamic group of directors that are eager to lead and advocate for a better, more accepting future for every person. Get to know us a little better, and then tell us: What gives you hope for the future in the disability world?

*xuality

03/03/2026

At Among Friends, we believe the greatest disability is not seeing a person for all of who they are. This month and every month, we choose to celebrate more.

02/26/2026

At Among Friends, we believe connection and s*xual expression are part of being human - and understanding experiences that don’t fit familiar boxes is a step toward compassion, not confusion.

Today, we’re exploring objectophilia - when someone forms a deep emotional or romantic attachment to objects. Some people experience this as meaningful and real, and research suggests it may be linked to neurodivergence or sensory variation - not pathology. Objectophilia isn’t listed as a disorder in the DSM‑5, and is different from a s*xual fe**sh because the connection is emotional, whether or not there is a s*xual connection.

Our approach at Among Friends is grounded in rights‑based, trauma‑informed, person‑centered support. When we encounter experiences that feel unfamiliar, we don’t ask “Is this strange?”; we ask, “Is it safe, healthy, and legal?” Understanding doesn’t require experience or familiarity, but it does require empathy.

Thank you for learning with us - let’s keep moving toward curiosity and dignity in how we talk about all forms of meaningful connection and identity.

*xualityEducation

02/25/2026

This image captures some of what caregiving can look like - the appointments, the IEPs, the advocacy, the burnout, the love.
But it doesn’t capture every story.

Every caregiver’s journey is different. Some experiences are visible. Many are not.

To the parents, family members, teachers, healthcare providers, and support staff who show up every day in ways big and small - we see you.

Last week was National Caregivers Day, and we want to honor the full spectrum of caregiving every day of the year. 💙

02/17/2026

People with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD) have always had diverse s*xual orientations and gender identities - even when society chose not to see them.
Too often, assumptions of as*xuality or cisgender identity erase lived experiences, limit self-expression, and harm emotional well-being. Research is clear: LGBTQ+ people with IDD deserve affirmation, education, and safe spaces to explore who they are.
True inclusion means:
✨ Training caregivers and professionals
✨ Inclusive s*xuality & gender education
✨ Accessible LGBTQ+ community spaces
✨ Listening, respecting, and affirming identity
✨ Supporting gender self-determination
Supporting s*xual orientation and gender identity in people with IDD isn’t optional - it’s about dignity, mental health, and human rights.

02/12/2026

For Black History Month, we honor Lois Curtis - an artist, advocate, and civil rights trailblazer.

In 1999, Lois Curtis was a plaintiff in Olmstead v. L.C., the Supreme Court case that affirmed people with disabilities have the right to receive services in the most integrated setting possible. Her case helped establish that unnecessary institutionalization is a form of discrimination under the ADA.

Lois Curtis’ legacy lives on in every fight for disability justice, community living, and self-determination.

02/11/2026

Raising good humans is hard enough—add s*x ed to the mix and sometimes all you can do is laugh and keep going. 😂

02/05/2026

We all have moments when emotions feel big and our nervous system needs support.
Some of us pace, breathe, fidget, hum, ground through touch, or focus on what’s around us.
Those tools aren’t weaknesses - they’re regulation.
Grounding looks different for different brains and bodies, and that diversity matters. When we make space for multiple ways to self-regulate, everyone benefits.
✨ What helps you regulate your emotions when things feel overwhelming?
Let’s normalize it. 👇

02/03/2026

Speech isn’t the only way to communicate 💬 Speech isn’t the only way to communicate — and it’s not the most important one.
Non-verbal and non-speaking people communicate through AAC, signs, gestures, images, and more. When we slow down, offer multiple ways to communicate, and center lived experience, we create spaces where everyone can participate and be heard.
✨ Inclusion means designing for communication diversity from the start — not as an afterthought.
👉 What’s one way you can make your space more communication-accessible today?
Read more at the link in bio.

01/30/2026

Real change starts before the problem ever begins. In supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, proactive behavior supports focus on understanding why behaviors happen and teaching meaningful, respectful ways to express needs. While reactive strategies may help keep people safe in the moment, it’s thoughtful planning and prevention that pave the path toward dignity, independence, and lasting growth.

When it comes to behavior support - whether at work, in relationships, or in caregiving - do you think being proactive leads to better outcomes than being reactive? Why?
Let us know your thoughts!

09/29/2025

Too often, people with IDD are overlooked when it comes to conversations about s*xual orientation and gender identity. The most recent Among Friends blog post challenges those assumptions and offers practical ways to create affirming, inclusive spaces where every person can be fully seen and supported.

Highlights include:
🩷Breaking down myths and stigma
🧡 Steps caregivers and professionals can take to affirm identity
🩷 Why honoring identity is central to dignity, health, and belonging

💬 We’d love to hear from you:
What’s one thing YOU do (or would like to do) to help create safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals with IDD? Share in the comments below!

People with IDD have often been assumed to be as*xual, heteros*xual, or cisgender—assumptions that erase their identities, needs, and humanity ( LGBTQ+ People | Intellectual Disability Mental Health Connect , The Arc ).