Newsletter
Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 2
Sex Therapy and Educational Programming
By Dr. Bobby Newman
The Sex Therapy and Educational Programming Special Interest Group(STEP SIG) of ABAI was created to fill gaps in the areas of applied behavior analytic research and practice in sex therapy and education. The STEP SIG marked its first anniversary at the ABAI convention of 2008. We are happy to announce that we have achieved our first set of annual goals, which included putting together a symposium of sexual behavior research and treatment reports for the annual ABAI convention, the creation of a yahoo group to facilitate discussion of SIG activities, and the creation of our first newsletter. Topics in the newsletter ranged from tracking public policy and education efforts (e.g., factors influencing participation in a condom distribution program) through sex education work with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities.
As in many other areas of research, the contributions and potential contributions of applied behavior analysis have not been properly appreciated. Behavior analysts generally operate outside the mainstream of sex therapy, with exactly one overlapping member between ABAI and the largest professional sex therapy organization. Discussion with representation from that organization indicated that there were no individuals who were listed as both Board Certified Behavior Analysts and certified sex therapists. According to the same report, only one BCBA has presented research at the conference of the organization, or published in its journal (a case study of marital difficulty caused by paraphilic behavior, and its resolution). STEP SIG aims to change that and to increase awareness of applied behavior analytic research within mainstream sex therapy and sex education.
Many of our members work with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, where sex education is rarely carried out in a data-based manner in keeping with the needs of the individual. As a result, there are gaps in the behavioral repertoire of the individual with developmental disabilities, which can lead to embarrassing situations, and possibly even legal complications and loss of freedom and autonomy. We hope that by encouraging data-based sex therapy and education, we can change this disturbing fact.
Our second annual business meeting was held at the ABAI 2008 convention and all interested individuals were invited to attend. Those interested in the aims and activities of the SIG are encouraged to contact Bobby Newman at (516) 448-5042 or darkoverlordaba@prodigy.net.