Working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while rewarding, is not without its challenges. One important area to consider is client sexual expression and behaviors. Talking about and working with sexual behaviors is often uncomfortable for many people. And, because people may feel uncomfortable, often people with disabilities do not receive an education about appropriate sexual expression and behaviors. What they do see may be on TV, movies, or the internet, not necessarily the best places to go for information. In the following seven-part series you will learn how best to respond to the sexual expression of our clients. No, you are not being asked to be a sex-ed instructor, or behaviorist, but you can help your clients learn social appropriateness.
I appreciate your attentiveness to this important topic. I realize that some of the scenarios that will be presented might be a little graphic, however, they are very realistic, and you need to know how you can be helpful and what to avoid doing.