Sex therapy and people with learning difficulties

Abstract

This article was written as an awareness paper, in an attempt to open up a field which has been devoid of therapeutic work by sex therapists for too many years. Firstly, it brings to the attention of the sex therapist the problems surrounding those with learning difficulties, and secondly it shows how this group of people should be helped by our skills. It starts by looking at societies' historical attitudes and responses to mental handicap, followed by the moves to community care, including a look at recent legislation, the principle of normalization and human rights. Areas of work for the sex therapist are divided into three divisions: (1) working with staff; (2) working with clients and (3) counselling staff. Case histories are given as practical examples of situations and work done to resolve them. As well as the physical aspects of sex and relationships a close look is taken at assertiveness, the right to say yes' and 'no' and the vulnerability of people with learning difficulties to sexual and other forms of abuse.