Abstract
<p>The authors present a framework and practical strategies for engaging deaf persons who have language and learning challenges as well as sexual offending behaviors in sex offender oriented mental health treatment. Current treatment approaches for persons who commit sexual offenses are reviewed along with modifications that have been made for persons with intellectual impairments. The additional challenges when the persons referred are deaf and poor language users are explored. The treatment resources for helping this subgroup of deaf persons with highly specialized needs are limited, and the common fallacy that a "signing clinician" with some knowledge of sexual offending treatment can make up for this absence of resources is contrasted with what it actually takes to do this work effectively. Finally, practical suggestions for treatment providers and programs without such highly specialized expertise, but with clients who have these problems, are presented.</p>
