Sexuality and contraception for developmentally handicapped persons.

Marked changes are occurring in the manner in which developmentally handicapped persons are being incorporated into society. These changes necessitate careful planning and review of the consequences of social interactions, including those of sexual development and fertility. Physicians and other health care workers should familiarize themselves with the current techniques of contraception as they apply to the developmentally handicapped and the current status of consent as it applies to therapeutic and non-therapeutic interventions, including advice about temporary and permanent contraception.