Men With Intellectual Disabilities Who Have Offended Sexually.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We review extant and new research focusing on assessment and treatment of men with intellectual disabilities (ID) who have offended sexually. New research findings are applied and integrated with classic assessment and treatment approaches, providing an overview of evidence-based practices. RECENT FINDINGS: New research has explored healthy sexuality among people with intellectual disabilities, including making evidence-based sexual information cognitively accessible for people with ID. Research has begun to include men with ID in studies of actuarial risk assessment and dynamic treatment needs and identify forms of sexual deviation. New research has identified the need for access to treatment materials better tailored to clients' cognitive level, as well as understanding normal sexuality among people with ID. The recent research further develops our understanding of men with ID who offended sexually and demonstrates similarities between men with and without ID who have offended sexually. The new research findings provide evidence-based support and guidance for clinicians working with this set of clients and suggest optimism for more positive outcomes as studies from across the globe are focusing on working with men with ID who have offended sexually.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Sexually Offensive Behaviors.

Sexually offensive behavior is known to be one of many consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This article provides a brief review of research to ascertain the effects of TBI in childhood and adulthood as related to cognitive, behavioral, social, and sexual behaviors. Brain impairment is also identified as a result of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Individuals with sexual offending histories are found to have experienced high numbers of ACEs. Sexually offensive and sexual offending behaviors post-TBI appears to occur in between 3.5 and 9% of affected adults (Simpson, Blaszczynski & Hodgkinson, 1999; Simpson, Sabaz & Daher, 2013). It is recommended that treatment providers make themselves aware of the relationship between TBI, ACEs, and sexually offensive behavior and how this may affect the treatment process.

Risk Assessment of Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities Who Exhibit Sexual Behavior Problems or Sexual Offending Behavior.

Adolescents with intellectual disabilities are known to engage in various sexual behavior problems or sexual offending behaviors. This article provides a review of important aspects of risk assessment within the context of a broader, more comprehensive and holistic assessment of these individuals. Pertinent risk and sexual interest assessment tools are identified along with their strengths and limitations. Issues that are often unattended to are addressed, including consideration of the behavioral implications of the young person's diagnosis and level of cognitive functioning, need for sexual knowledge and sexual interest assessment, and issues related to making a mental health diagnosis. Recommendations for future research are also offered.

Post-conviction sex offender polygraph examination: client-reported perceptions of utility and accuracy.

Post-conviction polygraph testing of adult sex offenders in treatment has been a somewhat controversial subject. This study (n = 95 participants who took 333 polygraph tests) explored how sexual offenders enrolled in outpatient treatment programs perceived their polygraph experience. Participants reported a relatively low incidence of false indications of both deception (22 of 333 tests) and truthfulness (11 of 333) tests, suggesting that clients agreed with examiners' opinions 90% of the time. The majority of clients reported that polygraph testing was a helpful part of treatment. Finally, about 5% of participants reported that they responded to allegedly inaccurate accusations of deception by admitting to things they had not done. The data offer encouragement for continued but cautious use of polygraphs by sex offender treatment programs. Implications for practice and research are identified.