title: Communicative empowerment of people with intellectual disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Personal narratives are conditional for victims of sexual abuse to overcome their trauma. Counsellors can help victims with intellectual disability to take an active position in conversations about sexuality and to co-construct a personal narrative.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using discourse and conversational analysis, we studied 4 conversations between a counsellor and a woman with autism and mild intellectual disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In conversation with a counsellor the participant was able to express her inner emotions and understanding about sexual issues and other sensitive topics. She was able also to express disagreement and lack of understanding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of communication limitations, clients with an intellectual disability can participate actively in conversations with counsellors. Although a helping or encouraging professional approach may also be suggestive and affect the authenticity of the client's narrative, it is the counsellor's duty to prevent distressing effects within the interview.
authors.affiliation: Utrecht University, the Netherlands. c.h.c.j.vannijnatten@uu.nl
authors.forename: Carolus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Nijnatten
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Heestermans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D033262:Narration; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000517:prevention & control; D014741:Video Recording