Group items tagged

Disabled people use sex toys for the same reasons as anyone else: for pleasure, variety, sexual experimentation, kinky sex... the list goes on. But some disabled people also use them to assist with sexual difficulties or physical, mental or sensory impairments. Sex isn't always straight forward for anyone, and it certainly isn't like in the movies.

Be approachable, open-minded and non-judgmental. This is a great checklist to read over before talking with your clients about sex. Included is how to provide an environment that the client feels safe speaking of sex, key areas that should be covered, some barriers that are faced by minority populations, and many reminders to be open minded, non-judgmental, and to keep your personal beliefs out of the discussion.

This is a really interesting study that I read,"An Occupational Therapist Perspective on Sexual Health." This particular study is about how confident they are when OTs are talking to their clients about sex. If the client ask a question pertaining to sex, how many don't think twice about answering and do they answer the question correctly. Another thing that I found interesting in this study is that health professions were surveyed: Thee professionals were asked and about 90% of the surveyed population said sex talk was holistic, but only 6% reported that they discussed it. So, if OT knows that it is an important aspect. Why don't we talk more often? - Well, read and see!! ; )

I tagged this page because it is important to remember that sex is not just an emotional event, but a definite physiological one as well. We need to remember this for not only our patients but in our own lives. Marriages are hard enough to maintain, but it is even harder if sex is viewed as a weapon. If both parties understand the benefits of a healthy sex life, everybody is a lot better off. Cause "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," lol.

Excuse some of the expletives in this article but I found it to be share-worthy. This is a Q&A article with five women who have had some sort of physical disability impact their lives. They are asked candid questions about how their disability affects their sexuality. I feel like looking back at this source will help me feel more comfortable speaking about sexuality with a client.

This video was very insightful! They talked about different terms used such as "chair chaser" (look that up on urban dictionary), spinal cord injuries and sex, drugs that can be used to assist with sex, assisted devices such as a love wedge (helps with movement) and toys used for individuals with sensation issues. They also indicated that for some people sex is therapy. It can help alleviate pain.

This is a short, easy to read article that would be a helpful resource for patients. Individuals with MS have many symptoms; one of the most common is fatigue. Suggestions about position and time of day may help persons have more fulfilling sex lives. Many of the ideas given in the article are very similar to the alternatives identified in chapter 16 of the Early text.

Sex is a taboo subject for some people, but as future OTA's we need learn how to be able to answer questions about sex. If as a therapist we are uncomfortable discussing sex, we aren't establishing a very good therapeutic use of self if we can not effectively communicate with the client their concerns regarding sex.

This is an article on AOTA website that talks about how important addressing sexuality in the OT field is and the interventions we might take to address sexuality with our clients. Always helpful to have these facts and examples on hand for our future.

Sexuality is a core characteristic and formative factor for human beings. It is a state of mind, representing our feelings about ourselves, what it's like to be male or female, how we relate to people of our own gender and those of the opposite gender, how we establish relationships, and how we express ourselves. This article from AOTA was helpful for me when we were going over sexuality in class. It mentions some specific areas OT can address.

Not occupational therapist, but this is a link to Sex Therapists with various degrees around Knoxville.

Sex and high blood pressure

I just thought this was interesting because I feel many people probably believe these myths about sexuality and people with disabilities.

This article dispels some of the more common myths about the disabled and sex

As the population ages many of use will have to face sexuality issues with our own parents. Two extremes are represented here, one home where the man was forced to move after found having sex with another resident and one where sexual relationships are considered natural.

Tells what normal changes and causes are

For most people sexuality is a very intimate area of their personal life which they do not wish to share with other people with the exception, perhaps, of a few very close persons. On the other hand, other peoples' sex life is of great interest to a large part of the population as evidenced by the huge market for sex-oriented films, magazines and similar products.

This article has a great list of websites for patients, care givers, and therapist. Great resource for sex and OT.

On this link there are several people who give their opinion on being in a wheelchair and their personal life. The videos range from young to old.

I found this website is very interesting because it is describes sex options for people with different types of disabilities. I never thought about that back pain can be very challenging when it comes to sex. Communication between couples is very important, they can make decisions what sexual activities are the best for them.

This article interested me as it does make reference to sexual surrogacy. It states that most sexual therapy is verbal however some cases do require the use of a sexual surrogate therapist. As the author of this article practices in the Fair Oaks, California area, this would lead me to believe that sexual surrogates are legal at least in some states.

Danny Jarvis is a football coach with a degree in leisure management. He is funny, has an independent mind and loves his job. He also suffers from cerebral palsy and relies on a full-time carer to wash and feed him. At 32 he was still a virgin until his friend, Jennie Williams, took him to a brothel in Amsterdam.

This very much pertains to our sex lesson and how important it is that people with spinal cord injuries still realize they can still participate. Of course we will still remain in our scope of practice with the Plissit model, but this definitely gives some good ideas and maybe a good handout to give someone with these types of questions!