Love Me as I Am (ATOM Study Guide)

Finding love is a tricky business at the best of times, but for young people with intellectual or learning disabilities, the challenges and stigma surrounding dating and relationships can be overwhelming.

Relationship coach Liz Dore is on a mission to break the taboos surrounding love and relationships for all. Cameras join her as she helps six young people find love and acceptance on their own terms. Her pioneering program is put to the ultimate test as she takes this diverse group on the adventure of a lifetime: their first ever debutante ball. From awkward first dates to managing a relationship, it's a rollercoaster ride of heartbreaking vulnerability, breathtaking honesty and life-affirming joy.

Love Me as I Am is a captivating and thought-provoking journey into a never-before-seen world of love and romance. Liz has pioneered a unique program of workshops, counselling and dances to help equip her diverse group with the skills they need to achieve their romantic goals. We join them as they negotiate the tricky terrain of romance:

• from conversation starters over coffee
• awkward first dates
• heady infatuations
• flashes of jealousy
• heartbreaking dilemmas
• major milestones and
• joyous celebration

For the first time, Liz is taking her group and their parents on their first rural adventure to Orange, in country New South Wales where they’ll be attending a unique debutante ball. Not only is it the biggest formal social event any of them has ever attended, it’s also a public recognition of their status as adults with a disability who deserve love. Each of them will walk down the red carpet with their partner of choice and be presented to the local dignitary in front of a crowd of more than 300. It's an exciting and daunting prospect; the biggest test of Liz's coaching career. Will each of her group find the date they want? And can Liz equip them with the skills and confidence they need in time for the big event.

Curriculum Links:

• English (Year 9–10)
• Health and Physical Education (Year 9–10)

Love Me as I Am is recommended as a supplementary text for students studying the following senior school subjects:

• Health and Human Development
• Ethics
• Psychology

Love Me as I Am can also be used at TAFE and University for relevant subject areas.

Teacher discretion is advised as Love Me as I Am contains some references and discussion relating to sex and contraception.