Dorothy Griffiths

Professor Emeritus

Dorothy Griffiths

dgriffiths@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 Behaviour, 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

Publications and collections

  • Griffiths, D., Iaonnou, S., Hoath, J., Thompson, K., & Wilson, R. (in progress). Applied behaviour analysis and sexual offending behaviour in persons with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
  • Griffiths, D. , Owen, F. & Condillac, R. (Eds.) (2016). A difficult dream: ending institutionalization for persons with intellectual disabilities and complex needs. Kingston, NY: NADD Press.
  • Griffiths, D. M., Owen, F., & Condillac, C. (2015). Summary report: the Facilities Initiative in Ontario: A survey of community agencies. Journal of Developmental Disabilities Special Edition on Deinstitutionalization, 21, 2, 27-37.
  • Watson, S. L. & Griffiths, D. M. (Eds.) ( 2015). Demystifying Syndromes II. Kingston NY: NADD Press.
  • Griffiths, D. M., Condillac, R., . & Legree, M. (2014). Genetic Syndromes and Applied Behaviour Analysis. UK: Jessica Kingsley Publishing.
  • Marinos V. Griffiths, D., Fergus, C., Stromski, S. & Rondeau, K. (2014). Victims and witnesses with intellectual disability in the criminal justice system. Criminal Justice Quarterly, 61, 4, 517–530.
  • Griffiths, D., Hingsburger, D., Hoath, J., & Ioannou, S. ( 2013 ). Counterfeit deviance revisited. Special Issue: pathways, assessment and treatment of offenders with intellectual disability. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26, (5), 471–480. DOI: 10.1111/jar.12034
  • Gardner, W. I., Griffiths, D. M, & Hamelin, J. (2012). Biopsychosocial treatment of aggression. In J. K. Luiselli (Ed.) The handbook of high-risk challenging behaviours: Assessment and intervention (pp.
    83-102 ). Baltimore: Paul H Brookes Publishing Co
  • Griffiths, D. M., Owen, F., & Watson, S.,. (Eds.) (2011). The Rights Agenda: An action plan to advance the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. Welland, ON: 3Rs Community University
    Research Alliance.
  • Hamelin, J., Frijters, J., Griffiths, D., Condillac, R., & Owen, F. (2011). Meta-analysis of deinstitutionalization adaptive behaviour outcomes: Research and clinical implications. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 36,1-13.
  • Griffiths, D., Fedoroff, P. & Richards, D. (2010). Sexual and gender identity disorders. In L. A. Craig, , K. .D. Browne, & W. R. Lindsay (Eds.), Assessment and Treatment of Sexual Offenders with Intellectual
    Disabilities: A Handbook (pp. 111-135). West Sussex, UK: John Wiley.
  • Griffiths, D., Owen, F., Feldman, M., Frijters, J., Condillac, R., Hamelin, J. (2009). Deinstitutionalization in Ontario: Literature Review. Ministry of Community and Social Services (monograph).
  • Griffiths, D., & Fedoroff, P. (2008) Persons with intellectual disabilities who sexually offend. In F.M. Saleh, A.J. Grudzinskas, J.M., Bradford, & D.J. Brodsky (Eds.), Sex Offenders: Identification, Risk, Assessment, Treatment, and Legal Issues (pp352-374) . New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Griffiths, D. (2007). Sexuality and persons with intellectual disabilities. In I. Brown and M. Percy (Eds.), A Comprehensive Guide to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. (pp. 571-581). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
  • Marinos, V. & Griffiths, D. (2006). Persons with intellectual disabilities in the courtroom. National Ottawa, ON: National Judicial Institute. (Monograpgh)
  • Gardner, W.I., & Griffiths, D.M. (2004). Distinguishing mental illness from behaviour disorder. Psychiatric Annals, 34(0), 185-191.
  • Griffiths, D., & King, R. (Eds.) (2004). Demystifying Syndromes. NADD: Kingston, New York.
  • Griffiths, D. & Lunsky, Y. (2003). Socio-sexual knowledge and attitude assessment tool (SSKAAT-R). Stoelting Company: Wood Dale, Illinois. [Test and Manual]

Presentations

  • Griffiths, D., Condillac, R. & Legree, M. ( October 2015). ABA and Genetics. Regional Support Associate Annual Conference, London.
  • Iaonnou, S., & Griffiths, D. (2014). Rights/responsibilities in treating persons who sexually offend. International Health and Wellbeing Conference, Miami, Florida.
  • Griffiths, D. (2013). Life Transitions. Health and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference, CARE-ID Annual Conference,Toronto (Keynote Address)
  • Griffiths, D., Condillac, R., & Owen, F. (2013). Deinsitituionalization in Ontario. NADD Annual Conference, Baltimore MD
  • Griffiths, D. (2013). Sexually Inappropriate behaviour. Schticting Foundation, Leuven, Belgium (Invited Address)

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.