Sex, consent and intellectual disability.
BACKGROUND
People with intellectual disability, as well as people with dementia or mental health disability, are vulnerable to sexual abuse and may lack the capacity to give valid consent to medical treatment. Their reproductive choices may be limited by their support needs, by social pressures or by sterilisation at a young age.


OBJECTIVE
This article uses case vignettes to illustrate key areas in dealing with sexual and reproductive health, and consent issues for people with intellectual disability. It also provides brief guidelines for assessing capacity to consent, and procedures to follow when there is no, or uncertain, capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
People with intellectual disability require education to help them resist abuse, and advocacy to ensure that their environment protects them. They require support and education when making reproductive choices and health care decisions. In cases where they do not have the capacity for informed consent, a substitute decision maker is required.
Eastgate
Gillian
G
Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability, University of Queensland. g.eastgate@uq.edu.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003267:Contraception / Q000379:methods; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology