Group Work with Women with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

The intention of this paper is to give an insight into the way in which group work offers women with learning disabilities the opportunity to (a) see what they have in common with other women and (b) enable them to develop a positive sense of themselves and their sexuality. The paper contains a summary of the author's role and the context in which this group work takes place. Descriptions of group recruitment, referral process, group criteria, group work practice and methods are offered. The key themes which women with learning disabilities consistently raise within the groups are explored and examples are given to illustrate how the women's group responds to these. The paper concludes by listing some of the important factors which facilitators need to be mindful of when setting up groups for women with learning disabilities.