Sexuality development and sexual behavior among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) represents one of the most underserved and clinically significant areas in applied behavior analysis. Despite the fundamental importance of sexuality as a component of human development and quality of life, behavior analysts have historically received minimal training in this domain.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Florida Association of Behavior Analysis
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →There is a long history of individuals with extensive support needs (ESN) being sterilized without their knowledge and consent. Additionally, inappropriate sexualized behavior (ISB) is fairly prevalent among individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD); estimates suggest that 18% to 28% of individuals diagnosed with IDD engage in these behaviors. Part of the reason this occurs is a lack of comprehensive sex education (CSE), limited awareness of individuals' with ESN sexual development, and a lack of interventions to address sexual behaviors and build skills related to self-determination or informed decision-making. This workshop will discuss multiple aspects of addressing and supporting the sexuality of individuals with ESN, including a discussion of a study aimed to increase these skills related to speaking to a doctor about menstrual management, a review of research conducted related to antecedent sex education/interventions and self-determination skills for individuals with ESN, and a review the body of research examining the effects of interventions on ISB before outlining implementation of function-based interventions for educators and practitioners working with students with disabilities who engage in ISB. Participants will utilize information and materials provided to develop and practice implementation of individualized interventions.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 3 | Ethics |
| COA | 3 | — |
| FL MH/PSY | 3 | — |
Jennifer Pollard taught for ten years before becoming a BCBA, almost ten years ago. As a BCBA she has worked in a community setting with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the community setting. She currently works a researcher at the University of Louisville and serves on the Kentucky State Licensing Board.
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.