What do Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities Learn about Sexuality and Dating? A Potential Role for Occupational Therapy

Credentials Display

Grace Krantz, MOT, OTR/L; Veronica Tolan, MOT, OTR/L; Kimmi Pontarelli, MOT, OTR/L; Susan M. Cahill, PhD, OTR/L

Abstract

Background: The objective of the qualitative study was to describe the perspectives of high school educators regarding how adolescents with developmental disabilities are taught about sexuality and dating. In addition, the investigators sought to examine how occupational therapy practitioners could be better integrated into the educational team to address this need.

Method: Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method.

Results: Three major themes emerged: (a) sexuality is unique to each student, (b) teachers and parents do not know what to do, and (c) a potential role for OT.

Conclusions: Occupational therapy practitioners may be well suited to address the needs identified through this study given their unique expertise.

Comments

The first three authors were Masters of Occupational Therapy students at the time of the investigation.

Recommended Citation

Krantz, G., Tolan, V., Pontarelli, K., & Cahill, S. M. (2016). What do Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities Learn about Sexuality and Dating? A Potential Role for Occupational Therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.1208