The Adolescent Health Working Group’s (AHWG) Sexual Health Toolkit, initially released in 2003, has been updated and expanded and is now available to download.
 
This 2010 module champions a paradigm shift from a deficit/risk-based perspective to one that embraces adolescent sexuality as positive and normative in this stage of development. It was designed to help providers empower youth and young adults to practice healthy behaviors by mastering the language and skills necessary to confidently address young patients’ sexual health needs and concerns.  This comprehensive guide:

• Focuses on healthy sexuality and healthy relationships
• Integrates information regarding the sexual health of all young men and women, LGBT youth and youth with disabilities
• Is designed for primary care providers and is written from a national perspective
• Includes links to the most current evidence based research
• Includes unique resources in the format of handouts for youth and families

Designed for busy providers, it tells you how to obtain a comprehensive health history and to effectively interview adolescents about their sexual activity, and specifically about STDs, condom use, sexual orientation, number of partners, and sexual abuse. The toolkit includes materials that are free to copy and distribute. Materials include:

• Practice readiness tools
• Screening, assessment and referral tools, such as taking a client-centered, comprehensive sexual health history and screening for sexual dysfunction
• Resource sheets on various sexual issues including menstrual suppression and male involvement
• Health education handouts (English, Chinese and Spanish) for teens and their parents including sex and technology and safer sex toy use
• Online resources and hotlines

If you do not already have the four other excellent Adolescent Toolkits in this series, we encourage you to visit the AHWG website and download:

• Consents and Confidentiality,
• Adolescent Health Care 101,
• Body Basics, and
• Behavioral Health.