Guidance on permanent contraception for young adults with disabilities draws controversy

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued new guidance on the use of permanent contraception in children and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The authors state that it can now be considered as an option for menstrual and fertility management.

Permanent contraception has a sordid history in the disability community. For a century or more, people with disabilities were forcefully sterilized, and it was supported by the eugenics movement.

While the academy now considers permanent contraception appropriate in some cases, the authors did say it should be a last resort.

"Nonetheless, saying in any form or fashion that they believe permanent contraception or forced sterilization is an acceptable option is one that does not sit well with members of the disability community," said Jon Meyers, the executive director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.

As for why the academy issued guidance now, Meyers says the overturning of Roe v. Wade could be one reason.

"It is possible that the authors are concerned that given some of the changes to reproductive rights in the United States, they felt there was an increased danger in the event somebody with a disability becomes pregnant as a result of sexual assault or that they might not have the option of terminating that pregnancy," Meyers said.

Still, Meyers worries about what this might mean in the future.

"The concern, I think, among the disability community, individuals with disabilities in particular, is that once we start making decisions that certain individuals shouldn't or couldn't be parents, couldn't bear children, then we make a wholesale decision for the community," Meyers said.

Which Meyers says is not acceptable.

The statement did not address permanent contraception for people with physical disabilities who have the capacity to make their own decisions.