Barriers to the Development of Intimate Relationships and the Expression of Sexuality among People with Developmental Disabilities: Their Perceptions

Abstract

In discussions pertaining to the sexuality of people with developmental disabilities, the voices of individuals with developmental disabilities often go unheard. In this article, we explored the ways in which adults with developmental disabilities perceive their relationships and their sexuality, and examined how they think about sexuality issues and what they themselves consider important. This qualitative research was conducted by means of semistructured, one-on-one private interviews with people with developmental disabilities from different service facilities in Flanders, Belgium. The findings suggest that there is no one type of relational–sexual experience, but common to all participants was the absence of support for building relationships and for coping with ensuing relational difficulties. The circumstances of people's lives, including many structural, organizational, and attitudinal barriers, appeared to shape the participants' perception of sexuality and their relationships with others. We conclude with implications for service professionals.