Can adult offenders with intellectual disabilities use mindfulness-based procedures to control their deviant sexual arousal? Nirbhay N. Singh a *, Giulio E. Lancioni b , Alan S.W. Winton c , Ashvind N. Singh d , Angela D. Adkins e and Judy Singh a a ONE Research Institute, Midlothian, VA 23112, USA; b Department of Psychology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy; c School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand; d Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; e Department of Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA Adults with intellectual disability who commit sexual offences against children are prosecuted and sometimes diverted to mental health facilities for training and treatment. Of the few treatment modalities used with this population, cognitiveÁ behavioral approaches appear to hold most promise. In a preliminary study, we assessed whether three adult sexual offenders with intellectual disability could learn to control their deviant sexual arousal. Using a multiple-baseline design, we evaluated the individuals’ ability to use self-control methods, Meditation on the Soles of the Feet, and a Mindful Observation of Thoughts meditation procedure to control their deviant sexual arousal when given relevant printed stimulus materials. Our data show that the individuals were minimally successful when they used their own self-control strategies, more effective with Meditation on the Soles of the Feet, and most effective with Mindful Observation of Thoughts meditation. We discuss the limitations of the study, as well as some reasons why mindfulness-based procedures may be worthy of future investigation for adult sexual offenders with intellectual disability. Keywords: Adult sexual offenders with intellectual disability; cognitive behavior therapy; Meditation on the Soles of the Feet; Mindful Observation of Thoughts; self-control; deviant sexual arousal Introduction Individuals with intellectual disabilities may be not only victims of sexual abuse, but also perpetrators of such abuse. The prevalence of sexual offenders with intellectual disabilities has been difficult to determine because of the changing definition of intellectual disability, the settings in which the abuse takes place, societal reluctance to report such crimes in this population to the police, and changes in the criminal justice system with regard to prosecution of individuals with intellectual disability. However, what is clear from various studies and periodic reports from the criminal justice system is that some sexual offenders have intellectual disability, and that these individuals should be provided with training and treatment to lessen the risk of further sexual offences (Barron, Hassiotis, & Banes, 2002; Lindsay, 2002a,b; Lindsay & Taylor, 2005). *Corresponding author. Email: nirbsingh52@aol.com ISSN 1068-316X print/ISSN 1477-2744 # 2011 Taylor & Francis DOI: 10.1080/10683160903392731 http://www.informaworld.com Psychology, Crime & Law Vol. 17, No. 2, February 2011, 165Á179 Downloaded By: [Massey University Library] At: 21:22 3 February 2011