Behavioral Risk Management: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities Who Exhibit Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors

Abstract

Community-based services to address inappropriate and offensive sexual behaviors are perhaps the least developed of all interventions for individuals with developmental disabilities. This article describes Behavioral Risk Management (BRM), a community-based, wraparound model, that incorporates both internal and external management strategies to meet the unique needs of adolescent and adult males with developmental disabilities who exhibit inappropriate or offensive sexual behaviors. Key components of BRM are risk assessment and risk management support planning, teaching new skills and alternative behaviors, environmental arrangements and supervision, and monitoring systems. Although still a work in progress, the model has enabled men with developmental disabilities who exhibit inappropriate or offensive sexual behaviors to live safely in the community, while ensuring community safety.