Dorothy Griffiths, Ph.D.

Faculty of Social Sciences - Child and Youth Studies




Dorothy Griffiths, Ph.D.

Professor
CRN - 330
(905) 688-5550, ext. 4069
griffith@brocku.ca

Dr. Griffiths has extensive experience in working on clinical issues regarding dual diagnosis (persons who are developmentally disabled and have mental health issues). Her expertise more specifically is in the area of sexual abuse and offence, aggression and self-injury, and social skills training with persons with developmental disabilities. Her recent research interests have included Human Rights and Deinstitutionalization. She has written and speaks extensively on these topics. She is notably recognized for five  books that she co-authored/co-edited called Changing Sexually Inappropriate Behavior, Dual Diagnosis, Demystifying Syndromes, Ethical Dilemmas of Sexuality and Developmental Disabilities, and The Human Rights Agenda. She is a recipient of numerous teaching, research and advocacy awards, including the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada.

Research Interests:
  • Human Rights of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Sociosexual Knowledge and Attitudes of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Sexual Abuse Reduction of Persons with Intellectual Disability
  • Positive Community Behavioral Supports for persons who are Dually Diagnosed
  • Transitional Lifestyle Planning 
 
(A representative sample of scholarly achievements)
RECENT PUBLICATIONS:
Feldman, M., Condillac, R.A., Tough, S., Hunt, S., & Griffiths, D. (2002). Effectiveness of community positive behavioral intervention for persons with developmental disabilities and severe behavior disorders. Behavior Therapy,33 (3), 377-399.
 
Griffiths, D., Richards, Fedoroff, P. D., & Watson, S. (Eds.), (2002). Ethical dilemmas: Sexuality and developmental disabilities. Kingston, NY: NADD.
Richards, D., Fedoroff, P., Griffiths, D. & Watson, S. (2002). Introduction. In D. Griffiths, D. Richards, P. Fedoroff & S. Watson (Eds.), Ethical dilemmas: Sexuality and developmental disabilities (pp. 11-18). Kingston, NY: NADD Press
 
Watson, S., Griffiths, D., Richards, D., & Dykstra, L. (2002). Sexuality education. In D. Griffiths, D. Richards, P. Fedoroff, & S. Watson (Eds.), Ethical dilemmas: Sexuality and developmental disabilities (pp.175-226). Kingston, NY: NADD Press.
 
Owen, F., Griffiths, D. & Arbus, K. (2002). Sexual policies in agencies supporting persons who have developmental disabilities, Part I: Ethical and organizational issues. In D. Griffiths, D. Richards, P. Fedoroff, &S. Watson, S. (Eds.), Ethical dilemmas: Sexuality and developmental disabilities. (pp.53-76) Kingston, NY: NADD Press.
 
Griffiths, D., Owen, F. & Arbus, K. (2002). Sexual policies in agencies supporting persons who have developmental disabilities, Part II: Practical Issues and Procedures. In D. Griffiths, D. Richards, P. Fedoroff & S. Watson (Eds.), Ethical dilemmas: Sexuality and developmental disabilities (pp.77-132). Kingston. NY: NADD Press.
 
Griffiths, D. & Lunsky, Y. ( in press). Socio-sexual knowledge and attitude assessment tool (SSKAAT-R). Stoelting Company: Wood Dale, Illinois. [Test and Manual]
 
Griffiths, D., Stavrakaki, C. & Summers, J. (Eds.) (2002). An introduction to the mental health needs of persons with developmental disabilities. Sudbury, ON: Habilitative Mental Health Resource Network.
 
Summers, J., Stavrakaki, C., Griffiths, D., & Cheetham, T. (2002). Comprehensive assessment and screening. In D. Griffiths, C. Stavrakaki, & J. Summers (Eds.), An introduction to the mental health needs of persons with developmental disabilities(pp. 151-190). Sudbury, ON: Habilitative Mental Health Resource Network.
 
Griffiths, D. & Gardner, W.I. (2002) The integrated biopsychosocial model: State of the art. In D. Griffiths, C. Stavrakaki, & J. Summers (Eds.), An introduction to the mental health needs of persons with developmental disabilities(pp.81-114). Sudbury, ON: Habilitative Mental Health Resource Network. 
 
Griffiths, D., Richards, D., Fedoroff, P., & Watson, S. (2002) Sexuality and Mental Health in Persons with Developmental Disabilities. In D. Griffiths, C. Stavrakaki, & J. Summers, J (Eds.), An introduction to the mental health needs of persons with developmental disabilities(pp. 419-454) . Sudbury, ON: Habilitative Mental Health Resource Network.
 
Griffiths, D., Taillon, P., & Smith, D. (2002). Offenders with developmental disabilities. In D. Griffiths, C. Stavrakaki, & J. Summers, J (Eds.), An introduction to the mental health needs of persons with developmental disabilities (pp.387-418). Sudbury, ON: Habilitative Mental Health Resource Network.
 
Griffiths, D. & Gardner, W.I. (2002). Programs and intervention approaches for the treatment of persons with dual diagnosis: A summary. In J.W. Jacobson, S. Holburn, & J.A.. Mulick (Eds.), Contemporary Dual Diagnosis Service Models Volume II : Partial and supportive services (pp.141-149). Kingston, NY: NADD Press.

Griffiths, D., Watson, S., Lewis, R., & Stoner, K. (in press). Research in sexuality and intellectual disability. In E. Emerson, C. Hatton, T. Parmenter, , & T. Thompson (Eds.), Handbook of methods of research and evaluation in intellectual disabilities. London: Wiley.

Griffiths, D. & Gardner, W.I. (2002). Residential and day programs for persons with dual diagnosis: A summary. In J.W. Jacobson, J.A.. Mulick, & C.S. Holburn (Eds.), Contemporary dual diagnosis: MH/MR Service Models Volume I: Residential and day services (pp.123-139).. Kingston, NY: NADD Press.

Gardner, W.I., Griffiths, D.M. & Whalen, J.P. (2002). Diagnostically-based psychosocial interventions. In Wm. I. Gardner (Ed.), Aggression and other disruptive behavioral challenges: Biomedical and psychosocial assessment and treatment (pp. 257-292). New York: National Association for Dual Diagnosis.

Gardner, W.I., Griffiths, D. & Whalen, J.P. (2002). Aggression: Definition, prevalence and comorbidity, differential diagnosis. In Wm. I. Gardner (Ed.), Aggression and other disruptive behavioral Challenges: Biomedical and pychosocial assessment and treatment (pp.1-43). New York: National Association for Dual Diagnosis.

Griffiths, D. (2002). Sexual aggression. In Wm. I. Gardner (Ed.), Aggression and other disruptive behavioral challenges: Biomedical and psychosocial assessment and treatment (pp.525-398). New York: National Association for Dual Diagnosis.

Griffiths, D. & Gardner, W.I. (in press). Consultative and supportive services: Summary. In J.W. Jacobson, J.A.. Mulick, & C.S. Holburn (Eds.), Programs and Services for People with Dual Developmental and Psychiatric Disabilities Volume II. Kingston, NY: NADD Press.

Griffiths, D. & Gardner, W.I. (in press). Residential and Vocational Services: Summary. In J.W. Jacobson, J.A.. Mulick, & C.S. Holburn (Eds.), Programs and Services for People with Dual Developmental and Psychiatric Disabilities Volume I. Kingston, NY: NADD Press.

Gardner, W.I., & Griffiths, D. (in press). Aggression: Case studies. In Wm. I. Gardner (Ed.), Aggression and other Disruptive Behavioral Challenges: Biomedical and Psychosocial Assessment and Treatment. New York: National Association for Dual Diagnosis.

Griffiths, D. (2001). Strategic behavioral intervention for aggression. In A. Dosen and K. Day (Eds.), The Treatment of Mental Illness and Behaviour Disorders in Mentally Retarded Children and Adults (pp. 305-322). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press.

Griffiths, D. & Lunsky, Y. (2000). Changing attitudes towards the nature of socio-sexual assessment and education for persons with developmental disabilities: A twenty-year comparison. Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 7, 16-33.

Owen, F., Griffiths, D., Sales, C., Feldman, M., & Richards, D. (2000). Perceptions of acceptable boundaries by persons with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 7, 34-49.

Griffiths, D. & Marini, Z. (2000). Cognitive and social considerations when persons with developmental disabilities interact with the legal system regarding a sexual offence. Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 7, 77-121.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Serves on three Board of Directors for Associations serving persons with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges.
Serves on two editorial boards (Journal of Developmental Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities Bulletin.