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| Behavioral Sex Education for Persons With Autism and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD): A Discussion of the Basics for Ethical, Competent, and Practical Implementation |
| Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| 8:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| Marriott Marquis, M4 Level, Liberty N-P |
| Area: DDA/AUT; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Frank R. Cicero, Ph.D. |
| FRANK R. CICERO (Seton Hall University), SORAH STEIN (Partnership for Behavior Change) |
| Description: Is sex governed by the principles of ABA? Are there ethical and applied issues that behavior analysts need to be aware of when working with sexual behavior? The answer to these questions is yes and form the basis for the current workshop, focusing on effective and ethical implementation of sex education for persons with developmental disabilities and/or autism. Realistically, many behavior analysts will encounter sexual behavior within their clinical work. Not only can it be uncomfortable for clinicians, clients, parents, and providers to discuss, but also behavior analysts rarely have the level of training in human sexuality needed to address this class of behavior ethically and effectively. This workshop will include a brief overview of sexual development and lifespan changes, medical issues that can affect sexual behavior, how and why sexuality may be affected by neurodivergence, function-based assessment and treatment of sexual behavior, shaping of pleasurable and appropriate solo-sex, and teaching of socio-sexual skills including relationship building and issues of consent, perspective taking, and privacy awareness. Presenters will introduce the audience to practical, behavioral treatment strategies are aligned with evidence-based practice. Treatments discussed will have been studied according to established procedures of scientific scrutiny that can be reasonably relied upon. |
| Learning Objectives: 1. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to state common issues experienced by people with developmental disabilities and ASD as related to appropriate and problem behaviors of a sexual topography, 2. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to develop 2-3 teaching programs for skill acquisition of sexual behaviors using techniques and theories consistent with applied behavior analysis, 3. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to conduct a functional assessment of problem behavior as it relates to sexual expression and develop a behavior intervention plan based on the function, 4. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants will be able to list considerations associated with personal consent and respect for diversity across the sexuality spectrum. |
| Activities: The workshop will consist of the following activities: 1. Didactic instruction by the presenters, 2. Group discussion and audience presentation, 3. Presentation and review of teaching materials, 4. Role play and practice of presented teaching procedures where applicable, 5. Sharing and discussion of research data where applicable |
| Audience: The current workshop content is geared towards the following audience: 1. Intermediate and advanced behavior analysts who have a desire to learn how to apply behavioral principles and teaching methods to the subject of sexual behavior. 2. Educators and related service professionals who have an advanced behavioral background and work with individuals with developmental issues that have needs in the area of sexual behavior. Audience members should have a working knowledge of behavior analytic principles and procedures used in clinical practice. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): autism, sex education, sexual behavior, sexuality |
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