Parents open up to sexuality of mentally handicapped

MUMBAI, March 20: One of the taboos in Indian society, sexuality among mentally handicapped children is finally being acknowledged and discussed – albeit in hushed tones by worried parents. A seminar on "Problems of Parents of Mentally Handicapped and Solutions" offered a new dimension to the issue of sexuality among the mentally handicapped.

Speaking to parents of such children, Solapur-based psychiatrist Dr Suparna Telang said teenaged mentally retarded children suffered from poor self image and loneliness due to lack of a peer group. "They resort to masturbating in public, fiddling with someone’s private parts, hugging strangers and indulging in behaviour that is embarrassing for the parents. In reality, they do this just to humiliate themselves and may have nothing to do with sexual desire," she said. Telang felt that the forming of peer groups, showing extra care and providing companionship, could be the solution to this problem. "Companionship" between a mentally retarded boy and girl has worked inat least five cases. This is applicable to individuals with an IQ over 55 and also those who can be trained well.

Telang stresses that both the boy and girl must be sterilised and explained that they must not have children. "We do not advise marriage because of legalities involved, especially if the companionship breaks. In this arrangement, both of them may or may not have sexual relations, depending on their needs, but it definitely gives them a sense of security and happiness," she explains.

Pediatrician Dr Raja Khare also stressed that pregnant women should avoid X-rays or radiation at any cost. If a mother contracts German measles/Rubella in the first trimester of her pregnancy, her child could be born mentally retarded. This can be avoided if a woman takes the Rubella vaccine before she gets married.