Sexuality, Sex Education, and Intellectual Disability: Guidance for Counselors

Sexual health and sexuality can be an important component of an individual’s identity. Sexual health and sexuality are a vital part of an individual’s quality of life and overall health and well-being. Individuals with intellectual disabilities have been viewed as asexual, lacking sexual interest, or have an inability to engage in sexual activity. These views have led to individuals with intellectual disabilities to be excluded from sexual education programs or lack appropriate knowledge of sexuality, sexual health, and healthy relationships. It is important for parents, medical providers, mental health professionals, and caregivers to have the knowledge needs to have conversations about sexual health and sexuality. It is also important for these individuals to advocate for access to sexual education programs for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). This article provides a review of research corresponding to intellectual disabilities in relation to sexual health and education and offers guidance and suggestions for different types of counselors on this topic when working with clients living with ID.