Masturbation by a person with developmental disability

Masturbation is a normal and natural experience for men and women of all ages. Sometimes masturbation is not a sexual act; it may just be sensory stimulation that is readily accessible and usually pleasurable. Masturbation at the appropriate time and place can be a healthy way for a person to express their sexuality.

Acceptable behaviour when a person with developmental disability wants to masturbate can be encouraged by:

• providing appropriate education, including advice about socially acceptable behaviour
  • going to a private place to masturbate (eg bedroom)
  • practicing good hygiene before and after masturbation (eg cleaning up bodily fluids)
• providing privacy
• ensuring foreign objects and sex toys used during masturbation are unbreakable, have smooth surfaces, can be retrieved, and are able to be cleaned without damaging the surface
• educating support people (if necessary) about socially acceptable behaviour.

Investigate frequent masturbation if it is causing physical injury or significantly affecting the person’s daily life; see also Inappropriate sexual behaviour in a person with developmental disability. Usually there is no medical cause, but some medications can affect sexual function including inability to reach orgasm. Frequent masturbation is often an expression of boredom and the absence of other meaningful and enjoyable activities.

Frequency of masturbation can be affected by changing environmental factors. For example, support people may find that redirecting the person to other activities is an appropriate strategy.