Supporting the Sexuality of Adults with Mental Retardation: Current Status and Future Directions

Historically, individuals with mental retardation have not enjoyed the sexual freedom afforded to individuals without disabilities. Although progress has been made, there is much room for improvement. This article suggests a comprehensive approach to supporting the sexuality of adults with mental retardation. A discussion of traditional sex education programs is provided, followed by recommendations for building on this approach. Specifically, individualized assessment and programs, to be conducted within the framework of a person-centered planning approach, is proposed. This approach enlists significant persons in the target individual's life, including family and formal care providers, who can serve as supports. Finally, the support role of agencies providing services to individuals with mental retardation is discussed.