ORI GIN AL PA PER The Sexuality of Adults with Intellectual Disability in Poland

The Author(s) 2013. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Sexuality is one of the most important aspects of human life that relates to sex, one’s identification, sexual role, sexual preferences, eroticism, pleasure and intimacy. It fulfils such functions as procreative, hedonistic and relationship-building as well as con-stitutes an integral part of human’s personality. The sexuality of people with intellectual disability is a special case- both from medical, pedagogical, psychological and ethical point of view. Little available research shows that it may become a significant factor that modifies their psychological and sexual functioning. The basic poll involved altogether 133 people with mild intellectual disability. The work was carried out in 11 schools and special institutions of three provinces in Poland: kujawsko- pomorskie, wielkopolskie and dol-nośląskie (provinces of Kujavy and Pomerania, Great Poland and Lower Silesia) The respondents qualified to take part in the poll constituted a very uniform group- homog-enous as regards their age of 18-25 as well as IQ level that was average for the people with higher degree of intellectual disability (HDID). Their age was of importance as in that life period one can observe the formation of first partner relationships with the clear aim o