The Mental Health Professional, the Mentally Retarded, and Sex

Because of the departure of the mentally retarded from cloistered institutions and their placement in community living arrangements, community mental health professionals are being called on more than ever to help the retarded and their parents deal responsibly with issues of sexuality. The mental health professional who would counsel the retarded must first develop an appreciation of the unique medical and social issues that can affect the sexual expression of the retarded. These issues include sexual maturation, reproductive ability, contraception sterilization, abortion, and sex education. The author, through a review of the literature, discusses these issues and offers guidance to counselors struggling with the difficult decisions concerning sexual expression among the mentally retarded.