Essay on the importance of sex education in people with intellectual deficit: reflections from occupational therapy

Abstract

The following essay analyzes and reflects on the importance of sex education in people with intellectual deficit from Occupational Therapy, as only when the why and the what for are validated and justified, it is possible to plan on how and where to intervene. In order to carry it out, the peculiarities of this group are considered as well as analyzed from the Occupational Therapy domain (AOTA, 2008), the concept of sexuality formulated by the World Health Organization - WHO (2006), the need and impact in their social integration processes as well as some bioethical reflections on the subject matter.

Under this reflective and theoretical logic analysis it emerges the idea of considering that social integration implies the need of maximizing the independence and autonomy of persons with intellectual deficit as well as their sexual dimension which expression and experience are daily performed. Therefore, his/her education must be a person-centered work and it also must be accomplished together with his/her family and the multidisciplinary team. Based on the latter, it is concluded that it is not necessary being an expert in the field to provide the essential advice, and then occupational therapists should be part of these teams, as they have the necessary tools.