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Behavioral Interventions for Inappropriate Sexual Behavior in Individuals With Developmental Disabilities and Acquired Brain Injury: A Review.

Abstract

Inappropriate sexual behavior (ISB) is a common, but understudied, issue for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities (DD), intellectual disability (ID), and/or acquired brain injuries (ABI). We conducted a systematic review to identify, analyze, and synthesize published behavior-analytic approaches to intervention for ISB in DD, ID, or ABI populations. Twenty-three studies employing single-subject research methodology were identified and evaluated using quality indicators described by Horner et al. (2005) . Results of our analysis suggest insufficient evidence exists to consider any specific response-suppression technique an overarching treatment for decreasing ISB using the Horner et al. criteria. However, broadly speaking, behavior analytic approaches have been highly effective. Practitioners should consider function-based intervention and draw from studies identified as having strong supporting evidence.

Citation

Clay, C. J., Bloom, S. E., Lambert, J. M. (i2018) Behavioral interventions for inappropriate sexual behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities & acquired brain injury: A Review, American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 123, 254-282 doi:10.1352/1944-7558-123.3.254.