Routledge Sexuality and Intellectual Disabilities: A Guide for Professionals

Product Description This book provides a concise overview of sexuality and gender identity in clients with intellectual disabilities for therapists, social workers, educators, and healthcare providers. It captures the social, political, and legal environment of the late 2010s and bridges the gap between research and practice, with engaging case examples drawn from the author’s own practice. Guidance on everyday issues like dating and sex education is juxtaposed with material on complex, current issues in topics like LGBTQ inclusion and sexual offending. User-friendly "toolboxes" provide brief guides to practical issues like using trans-friendly language and providing family interventions. Accessible enough for students and trainees, but thorough enough for veteran clinicians, this book explores issues that professionals face in providing competent care through the lens of justice and inclusion. Review "Triska's short book immerses readers in the sexual struggles of those with recognized intellectual disabilities. In providing us with a treasure trove of information, guidance, resources, and hope to deal with their challenges, the author is convincing readers that this population's sexual identity and sexual behavioral needs should not be ignored. Trust this able educator's experience, and your ability to help these people and their families will surely expand." Stephen B. Levine, MD, editor of the Handbook of Clinical Sexuality for Mental Health Professionals "This important book challenges agency staff to view sexuality holistically and offers practical ideas for supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities at all organizational levels. Triska updates us on the research related to rarely addressed topics (e.g. parenting, supporting LGBTQ individuals, consent, and offenders) and helps us figure out how to translate that into evidenced-based practice. This is a great resource for professionals supporting a new generation of individuals with intellectual disabilities."Terri Couwenhoven MS, AASECT sex educator and author "Sexuality and Intellectual Disabilities is a comprehensive, clear, and accessible guide to addressing sexuality and intellectual disabilities at the individual, organizational, and policy level. Numerous engaging case examples bring topics to life, challenging the reader to examine their current practice and more proactively address sexuality content. The book thoughtfully unpacks critical concepts of consent and privacy and does a particularly good job addressing LGBTQ inclusivity."SJ Dodd, MSW, MSEd, PhD, Director, Silberman Center for Sexuality and Gender, Associate Professor, Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, CUNY About the Author Andrew Maxwell Triska, MSW is a social worker and therapist who currently practices in the inpatient psychiatric unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, consults on gender and sexuality topics, and develops materials for social work textbooks. He received his MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College; his capstone project on intellectual disabilities and sexuality was awarded the Helen Rehr Award for Excellence in Practice-Research.