An Intellectually Disabled person as a sexual person.

       I chose this article to research due to my struggle in my own classroom to address the issue of masturbation with one of my students. I have collaborated with my Team's Behavioral Therapist on addressing this concern and providing accommodations for my student. Masturbation is a completely normal bodily function that begins during pubescence. However, my student has masturbated at inappropriate times while in the classroom and on public outings. We have developed a social story to explain that masturbation is a private activity and we provide visual cues in the classroom to deter the student from masturbation. Throughout my research, I learned that there is still very little research conducted on Sexuality for a person with a disability. The article focused on a study in Poland that was carried out in 11 schools and special institutions. The respondents of the study qualified in regards to their age (18-25) as well as IQ level as being diagnosed as a person with a higher degree of intellectual disability. The study documented that the sexual development of it's respondents were delayed by at least three years.

The pilot studies gave several pieces of interesting data which include the following: every eighth intellectually disabled woman is unaware of the basic tests she needs to undergo in puberty and every ninth man does not know how to check his testicles on his own, every sixth intellectually disabled person fears having sexual encounters with a partner, and low levels of sexual awareness for men and women with an intellectual disability often resulted in risky sexual behaviors. Furthermore, almost all intellectually disabled people involved in the study had participated in sexual activity and admitted that it was important to satisfy their sexual partner. However, they were unsure of how to clearly define that sexual satisfaction. Women in the study had very little knowledge of the physiology of becoming pregnant or the birthing process. On the other hand, most participants in the study were able to correctly identify female and male sex organs and body parts. In the study, 76% of the respondents had masturbated and the males in the group had masturbated almost twice as often as the females. The interpretation of the study perceives masturbation as the only form of sexual activity for individuals with an intellectual disability. As a result of this study, it had been discovered that a majority of the intellectually disabled teenagers, who masturbated, have not excluded taking up sexual activity with a partner.

     As I reflect on this information, it reminds me of a movie I have seen on "Lifetime Channel for Women." The movie was titled "The Other Sister." The film was about two individuals who were both diagnosed with an intellectual disability and end up falling in love and getting married. Throughout the film, Juliette Lewis' character, is often put down for believing that she could be successful in a relationship, marriage, or education. I remember watching this film as a teen and being so angry with her family. I believed that every person, with a disability or without, should fall in love and have an education. I also wondered if  a person with a disability had the same perception of sexual activity and partnership. After researching this article, I agree with the assumption that most individuals with a disability may not fully understand sexual activity or sharing satisfaction with a partner. However, I do believe that individuals with disabilities should be properly educated on sexuality and encouraged to explore their sexuality in an appropriate place and an appropriate manner.

Kijak, R.: Sex and disability—sexual experience of people with intellectual disability. Impuls, Krakow, pg. 109-123 (2010)