Teacher Perspectives on Managing Manifest Sexual Behaviour among Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Maladaptive sexual behaviours amongst individuals with intellectualdisability (ID) cause much embarrassment to their caregivers. The caregiver’s
lack of skill and knowledge in managing those behaviours end up reinforcingthe same. The present study explored the sexual behaviours manifested
by individuals with ID and the strategies adopted by special educators tomanage those behaviours. The data generated from in-depth interviews of
special educators with relevant experience was thematically analysed. Thestudy concluded that the various strategies adopted by the special educators
depended on i) their general attitude towards the expression of sexualityby the intellectually challenged and, ii) their perspectives on the reasons
behind the inappropriate sexual behaviour. The teachers resorted tobehaviour and environment modification techniques to manageinappropriate sexual behaviours. Implications for practice are alsodiscussed.