The role of the clinical nurse specialist in the assessment and development of social-sexual skills of adults who are developmentally disabled.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) functioning in ambulatory settings such as sheltered workshops or other community placements where developmentally disabled persons receive services have an excellent opportunity to use their teaching, counseling and guidance and interaction skills to assist them in gaining competencies that they need to be successful in social/sexual interactions. In this article, preassessment of these skills was performed and an outline of an educational program provided so that CNSs can assume this important teaching and counseling role.