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Desmond and Daisy

Anatomically correct male & female cloth models

A new, re-designed and improved version from Bodysense.

An invaluable resource for teaching children and young adults with learning disabilities about the human body and sexual issues, and as an aid to developing skills in personal relationships and appropriate behaviour.

These 3 D models were originally developed as part of 'Not A Child Anymore' - the first social and sex education programme and resources for young people with learning disabilities in the United Kingdom, published in 1987 by Brook Publications. Although the teaching programme is out of print, the models have been in continuous use since then and remain a unique and valued resource in schools, colleges, residential establishments and sex advice clinics. They have been re-designed with additional features in response to growing demand from professionals responsible for sex and relationship education, counselling and advice for children and young adults with a wide range of learning, sensory and other disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Bodysense is grateful for a grant from the Teenage Pregnancy Unit that made the re-design of the models possible.

These half life-size, anatomically correct, realistic male and female cloth models are regularly used in clinic settings to facilitate effective two-way communication and have been found to be an invaluable teaching resource to facilitate learning about the adult body, sexual behaviour and personal and sexual relationships. Within the Special Educational needs setting they are used by school nurses on a one to one basis with children and teachers use them on an on-going basis to assist with class teaching.

A recent survey of purchasers of the models found they were regularly used for the following tasks:

•  To teach about the adult human body,

•  male and female differences,

•  appropriate and inappropriate touches,

•  sexual behaviour,

•  protective behaviours,

•  & for role play, drama or storytelling.

They were also used to facilitate two-way communication about sexual matters,

•  to help answer questions about sexual or personal matters and

•  to support counselling on personal or sexual issues.

The pair of models cost £400 including comprehensive users’ notes, clothing, p & p and insurance.

The newly designed, STANDING version of the male and female cloth models have the following additional features or modifications to improve and extend their use.

• The 'skin' colour reflects more realistically, that which would enable users to identify them as being from one of a variety of ethnic/cultural backgrounds

• The faces have been re-drawn by a skilled artist to emphasise the male or female features and to convey a relaxed expression that is neither happy nor sad.

• The hairline has been improved in both the male and the female and the noses have been broadened to reflect a wider range of racial/ethnic features.

• The body shape of both male and female has been made more realistic, with the male having more bulk and a broader chest. The ribcage of the female has been made deeper.

• The ears have been given more detail and stand out from the head to enable a small digital hearing aid to be inserted or spectacles supported (if appropriate to the user group).

• The male genitals have been made larger in proportion to the body size and continue to have two beans inside the scrotal sac to mimic the slightly 'mobile' feel and to support teaching of testicular self-examination.

• The female genital area has been improved so that there is more space between the thighs to facilitate the demonstration of an internal examination of the vagina. A 3 D clitoris replaces the drawn clitoris. This is achieved with a small bead sewn in beneath the cloth at the front junction of the inner labia.

• Both the male and the female have been given an anal opening to replace what was previously indicated by stitching.

• The armpit has been redesigned to improve movement and strengthen the joints. In addition, the arms have been given the facility to bend at the elbow.

• The appearance of the feet has been improved and the ankles strengthened.

Extensive research and design has been undertaken to produce a SITTING version of the models for use with children and young people with physical disabilities and mobility problems where wheelchairs and other mobility aids are in general use and they are less likely to identify with standing figures.

All of the above features apply to the ‘sitting’ version of the models. However, they have jointed hips to enable the models to sit in a realistic position. The legs also bend at the knees. This variation of the design is now available and its development is in response to a growing demand for models that children and young people who are wheelchair users can identify with more readily.

The cost of this version of the models is, inevitably, more expensive because of the complexity of the joints in the lower limbs and the shorter production run. They cost £475 per pair and are made to order. The expected time of delivery is six weeks. A pair made up of one standing and one sitting model can be ordered at a cost of £437.50.

To complement the sitting version of the cloth models, Bodysense have developed a handcrafted wheelchair, scaled to the size of the models. It is realistic in appearance, is fully manoeuvrable and can be folded for storage and transport. The wheelchair costs £250, including postage, packing and insurance. Buy a pair of sitting models and a wheelchair together for £700. Buy one sitting and one standing model and a wheelchair together for £667.50.

Wendy

Anatomically correct 3D model of the female
genitalia & reproductive organs

An innovative, versatile and much needed new resource from Bodysense.

Designed to meet the needs of young people to understand the female sexual and reproductive organs, menstruation, sexual behaviour,
sexually transmitted infections, contraception & pregnancy

Ignorance and confusion about the female genitalia and reproductive organs is a common feature of consultations with young people of all abilities. The overall aim of this resource is to reduce ignorance and the adverse consequences of ignorance (e.g. unplanned pregnancy and sexual infections) and facilitate necessary communication with professionals about sexual and reproductive matters.

This 3 dimensional model of the female genitalia and lower abdomen is made of latex and has a removable front panel covering the anatomically correct, 3D, internal reproductive organs in their correct location. As the models are made to order, the outer 'skin' colour can be made to reflect the ethnic background of those with whom it is to be used.

The female genital model was originally developed to respond to a commonly expressed need by teachers, school nurses and health professionals for a resource that assists the teaching of human reproduction, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and childbirth to young people with learning disabilities. In particular, the model assists two-way communication about sexual matters where verbal communication is limited due to learning difficulty, physical or sensory disability. It also facilitates teaching the use of tampons to girls who have learning disabilities and are wheelchair users.

However, the clarity of the information it provides has made it an innovative resource for young people of all abilities and for use by youth advisory clinics and health promotion units.

The model is also an invaluable resource for all schools where there is a need for:

• visual aids to assist pupils who for a variety of reasons have difficulty with more formal teaching methods and

• to support more formal teaching methods available to more able pupils.

The model costs £375, including comprehensive users’ notes, postage, packing and insurance.