Sexual habilitation of youngsters with chronic illness or disabling conditions

While health care professionals have acknowledged the need to address the area of sexuality in the rehabilitation of adults, the sexuality of children with habilitative needs is still largely ignored. Chronically ill and disabled children are at risk for psychosexual disorders and nonfulfillment of sexual needs. This article presents a model for identification of and intervention to overcome impediments to development of healthy sexuality. Specific suggestions for such intervention, organized by developmental stage, are provided. The questions of who is responsible for incorporating sexual habilitation into treatment and when intervention should begin are raised and answered. The potential problem of securing parental cooperation is also discussed.