Sex Offending Behavior of Persons with an Intellectual Disability A Multi-Component Applied Behavior Analytic Approach

The treatment of sexual offending behavior to persons with an intellectual disability is fraught with challenges. Behavior analysts are typically the first professionals called on to consult to these cases. However, effective and ethical treatment is an intersection of three divergent fields - all of which are necessary in order to support successful intervention: the field of intellectual disability, the field of forensics and treatment of persons who have sexually offended, and the field of applied behavioral analysis. In this book, the authors have developed an integrated functional approach in which these components coalesce to form a dynamic model for assessment and treatment.

Dorothy Griffiths is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Child and Youth Studies and the Department of Applied Disabilities at Brock University. She has published and presented extensively in the area of challenging behavior and persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with special interests in sexually offending behavior and issues regarding human rights and persons with disabilities. She is a member of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada, Jordan Hoath has been supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities in a variety of roles for 15 years. His clinical and research interest include ethics of treating problematic sexual behaviors and the community reintegration of high risk offenders. Stephanie Ioannou is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has provided assessment and treatment to persons with dual diagnosis and sexual offending behavior in community settings. Within a bio-psycho-social framework, she has worked with adults with dual diagnosis and challenging behaviors and provided clinical oversight of the deliver of ABA services to children/youth with autism and their families. Kendra Thomson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Disability Studies at Brock University and a Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D). Her research is investigating best practices for training others (parents, support staff, etc.) how to provide evidence-based support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how that impacts individuals and heir families. Robin J. Wilson is a board certified clinical and consulting psychologist with more than 30 years experience in sexual violence prevention. His research and practice focus on the assessment, treatment, and risk management of persons with sexual behavior problems, particularly, individual with intellectual disabilities and persons returning to the community after long-term incarceration or hospitalization.