Cognitive-behavioral treatment of an adolescent sexual offender with an intellectual disability: A novel application of exposure and response prevention

Very little data exist on the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders with an intellectual disability despite evidence suggesting that intellectual deficits play a significant role in sexual offending. This case study describes use of cognitive-behavior therapy with an adolescent sexual offender diagnosed with an intellectual disability. Sexual offenders with an intellectual disability often present with certain skill deficits that require an adaptation of traditional treatments. This case study used a novel application of exposure and response prevention for the purpose of building skills that allow for effective control of sexual arousal and sexually offensive behavior. Results of this case study suggest that exposure and response prevention, as part of traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy, may be a useful treatment strategy for adolescent sexual offenders with a noted intellectual disability. Implications of the case are discussed and recommendations to clinicians working with this population are made.