Welcome to Elevatus Training
Elevatus Training is a national leader in healthy relationships training and sexuality education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We offer comprehensive, age-appropriate products and workshops that help professionals, educators, self-advocates, and parents confidently teach and discuss healthy relationships and sexuality.
Field-tested and trusted by thousands of people around the world, our products are medically accurate, evidence-informed, trauma-informed, and include the following:
- Curricula
- Communication Supports
- Live Online Training
- On-Demand Workshops
- Self-Study Programs
- In-Service Training
- Private Organizational Training
- Keynotes and Conferences
Who Founded Elevatus Training?
Founded by a national expert on sexuality, relationships, and I/DD
Elevatus Training was founded by Katherine McLaughlin, M.Ed., an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) with more than 30 years of experience in sexuality education and disability support. She is the CEO and lead trainer for Elevatus Training.
Katherine’s work began in reproductive rights and public health. Over time, her focus expanded into healthy relationships and sexuality education for people with I/DD. That shift was shaped in part by her own life experience after she became a wheelchair user following a spinal cord injury at the age of 26.
That personal experience helped deepen her understanding of the inequities many people with disabilities face, including the harmful belief that people with disabilities are not sexual beings. Since then, her career has focused on changing that narrative through education, advocacy, and practical support.
Our Flagship Training Program
Developmental Disabilities and Sexuality:
Becoming a Sexuality Educator and Trainer
A 3-Day Certificate Training for anyone who works with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and wants to lead sexuality education classes and staff/parent trainings.
When it comes to talking about sexuality, people with I/DD are often excluded, almost as if they are incapable of having sexual thoughts, feelings, and needs. In reality, they, too, are sexual beings who need information and skills for making healthy decisions about sexuality.
Though agencies that work with people with I/DD know that sexuality issues need to be addressed, they often do not feel comfortable or competent enough to do so. This training will provide you with the curriculum, tools, and skills you need to teach sexuality education classes and lead staff/parent training sessions.
Next Training: Click the button below to see our training dates.
What People Are Saying
Remarkable, inspirational experience
“Katherine Mclaughlin has the rare gift of imparting vast amounts of information and best practices while remaining warm and relatable. Her long experience in the field means that the material itself is shaped for maximum impact … She’s an inspirational teacher, whose three-day seminar transformed our group of 35 educators, trainers, and direct care staff into a pop-up community of a sort united by our desire to take her work out into the world. It was a remarkable experience.”
Eli Gottlieb — Author on Autism
Why Choose Elevatus Training?
The Top 8 Reasons to Work With Elevatus Training
What People Are Saying
Elevatus sets the standard
“The training modules and curriculum that Katherine has designed set the standard for sexual education for individuals with ID/DD. They are straight forward, sensitive, humane, and with compassion.”
Dr. Rob Weiss — Psy. D., BCBA-D
Our Most Popular Products to Help You Build Skills and Confidence
Build skills, increase confidence and effectiveness, lower stress, and enjoy your work
Curriculum: Sexuality Education
Self-Study Course for Staff/Professionals
Self-Study Course for Parents
What People Are Saying
Comprehensive, adaptable curriculum
“Katherine is an inspired trainer who shares her knowledge and skills in a fun and engaging way … The curriculum is very comprehensive and well done. I like the way I can pick and choose which units to use depending on the needs of my group. The lesson plans are user-friendly, with clear language and great visuals for the handouts. I would recommend this curriculum to anyone interested in putting together a comprehensive sexuality education program for adults with developmental disabilities.”
Linda Sandman — University of Illinois-Chicago
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