Background: Despite the considerable number of young adults with developmental disabilities experiencing sexual desire and exhibiting sexual behaviours as part of their natural biological growth and development, there is a lack of research on effective intervention. This study aimed to explore the views and experiences of professionals on the sexual behaviours of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews with eight professionals specialising in developmental disabilities and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours were conducted, and their responses were analysed using a qualitative method.
Results: Professionals' experiences were categorised into three based on the groups involved in intervention: people with developmental disabilities (desire, factors leading to lack of desire fulfilment), their family/parents (emotions and cognition/behaviours toward their child's disability and sexuality), and professionals (current intervention method, lack of human/material resources).
Conclusion: Based on these findings, we suggest future directions for interventions to address sexual behaviours among individuals with developmental disabilities.
Keywords: developmental disability; qualitative study; sexual behaviours.