Sexual support and education for adults with mild intellectual disabilities: a Delphi study on multiple perspectives.
A 13-expert Delphi list gives BCBAs 68 concrete boxes to tick when building respectful sex-ed for adults with mild ID.
01Research in Context
What this study did
de Wit et al. (2024) asked 13 experts to rate what adults with mild intellectual disability need for safe, useful sex education.
The panel used a Delphi method: three rounds of anonymous voting until most answers agreed.
They ended with 68 must-have conditions grouped into six themes like safe settings and choice-making.
What they found
The experts agreed on 68 building blocks for any sex-ed program.
Key blocks include private rooms, clear rules, staff who listen, and lessons that boost self-choice.
How this fits with other research
Brown et al. (2019) and Whittle et al. (2018) show families and staff often block sexual talk because they feel scared or unsure. The Delphi list gives them a ready script, turning fear into action.
Kirby et al. (2024) surveyed adults with moderate ID and found most masturbate but know little about condoms. The Delphi themes plug that knowledge gap by calling for step-by-step safer-sex lessons.
Chou et al. (2007) proved adults with ID understand consent laws poorly. The new 2024 list keeps legal literacy on the front page, updating the old warning with concrete teaching steps.
Why it matters
You can open the 68-item checklist tomorrow and see what your program is missing. Add a private space, write a plain-language consent rule card, or train staff to ask instead of tell. Small fixes now mean safer, happier clients later.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Print the six themes, circle the two your site lacks most, and add one this week (e.g., post a visual privacy rule in the dating skills room).
02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Providing appropriate sexual support and education for adults with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs) is a source of considerable debate, resulting in diverse, non-funded and potentially adverse practices. This study aims to identify a consensus among experts regarding what conditions are conducive to successful sexual support and education for adults with mild IDs. METHODS: A Delphi study was conducted with 13 experts, including experts-by-experience, relatives, support staff, psychologists and sexologists. Qualitative data on the conditions for sexual support and education were gathered in the first round and thematically analysed. In the following three quantitative rounds, consensus was achieved using Likert-type response scales and participants' feedback. RESULTS: Round 1 resulted in 82 conditions on six themes: 'the necessary attitude', 'requirements', 'approach to delivering sexual support and education', 'appropriate providers', 'settings and timing' and 'effective collaboration with the network'. In the following three quantitative rounds, the experts reached consensus on 68 conditions distributed across the six themes. CONCLUSIONS: The six themes highlight conducive conditions for successful sexual support and education for adults with mild IDs, emphasising the significance of a safe and supportive environment, comprehensive educational programmes, and the promotion of autonomy and protection. The consensus-based findings have distinct implications for practice and future research.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2024 · doi:10.1111/jir.13172