Behavioral Treatment of Sexually Offending Behavior
Joseph J. Plaud, Ph.D., Deborah Muench Plaud, Ph.D., Paul D. Kolstoe, Ph.D., Laurie Orvedal, M.S.

Discussion is given to relevant behavioral issues in the treatment of sexual offending, with specific emphasis on issues related to persons with developmental disabilities. Recommendations for quality behavioral programming are made, and a review of the relevant literature illustrates several major approaches in the clinical management of inappropriate sexual arousal and behavior. It is concluded that quality behavioral programming in the area of sexual offending comprises the following domains: (1) implementation of therapeutic behavior change regimens in sexual offending tailored to each individual in all sexual and general curriculum areas; (2) behavioral responses directly measured; (3) behavior patterns charted (e.g., graphed using a standard celeration charting system); (4) functional and descriptive definitions of behavior used in the implementation of behavior change regimens; (5) an emphasis on building new and appropriate sexual behaviors as well as general behavioral skills; and (6) a behavior analytic investigation of the impact of environmental influences on each individual's behavior