Problematic Sexual Behavior

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Do you worry about what is normal in your child’s sexual development? Join us to talk with Roy Van Tassell, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma and Director of Trauma and Evidence-based Interventions for Centene Health. He co-chairs the National Child Traumatic Stress Networks’ subcommittee on children with problem sexual behaviors.

Warning: We will be using anatomically correct words and talking about sex, so if this offends you or triggers you, you may want to skip this podcast.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Typical Sexual Development / Play
  • What is typical sexual development in children as they age?
  • What type of sexual play is considered “normal?”
  • How should parents manage a child’s natural sexual development?
• Problematic Sexual Behavior
  • What are Problem Sexual Behaviors in Children?
  • What causes kids and youth to act in socially unacceptable or destructive sexual ways? What factors influence the development of these behaviors?
• Child vulnerabilities
  • Behavior problems
  • Emotional difficulties
  • Developmental delays
  • Low impulse control
• Family vulnerabilities
  • Poor supervision
  • Single caregiver
• Modeling of coercion
  • Harsh parenting practices
  • Physical abuse
  • Domestic violence
• Modeling of sexuality
  • Sexual abuse
  • Modeling/exposure
  • Nudity or poor family boundaries
• How common are problematic sexual behaviors?
• Suggestions for professionals and parents and how to respond to behaviors.
• What should parents and caregivers do?
• Rules for younger kids
• How effective is therapy?
• How to find a therapist?
  • What training have they had in this area?
  • Child development expertise (including sexual development)
• Resources
  • Taking Action booklets (two booklets) – for children with problematic sexual behaviors (age 12 and younger) and one for 13+
  • Resources at the National Center on Sexual Behavior of Youth – really good resources for caregivers and parents.
  • National Center for Exploited Children—for kids to understand safety—teaching them safety skills to protect their own body
  • Amaze.org—videos for children
  • National Child Traumatic Stress Network
    • A.J.’s Story— A Book About Not OK Touches

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