scholarly journals Aspirations held by young adults with intellectual disabilities and their mothers

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-116
Author(s):  
Mary McMahon ◽  
Karen Moni ◽  
Monica Cuskelly ◽  
Jan Lloyd ◽  
Anne Jobling

This study reports on Australian small-scale exploratory descriptive research into how young people with intellectual disability and their families construct their futures. The aims of this research were to (a) better understand the future aspirations held by young adults with intellectual disability and their parents, (b) identify enablers and barriers to the achievement of these aspirations, and (c) provide insights for career practitioners who support young people with intellectual disability and their parents to achieve their personal and career goals. Participants were four young people with intellectual disabilities aged between 18 and 30 years and their mothers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Results provide a nuanced understanding of the issues facing young people with intellectual disabilities and their families in constructing their futures. Suggestions are offered that can inform career development practice and policy.

2009 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 436-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristín Björnsdóttir ◽  
IngólfurÁsgeir Jóhannesson

Abstract There are many barriers to social participation in Iceland for people with intellectual disabilities. This article builds on qualitative research with young adults with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this article is to develop an approach where the struggles over the meaning of social participation of people with intellectual disabilities are seen as social strategies. In the article, the authors suggest that people with intellectual disabilities are carving out a space where intellectual disability is gaining higher social status. They also posit that people with intellectual disabilities use several social strategies in the emerging field of self-advocacy for the purpose of improving their social position. Thus, the article contributes to a new social understanding of disability and how people with disabilities gain authority over their lives and experiences.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
Laurie Buys

As most older adults with intellectual disabilities reside in community based accommodation, the availability of support programs and services becomes important to the maintenance of independent living. Thirty nine community based organisations in Brisbane, Australia that assist people with intellectual disabilities were surveyed regarding the types of programs offered to older adults with intellectual disabilities. The results showed that 75% of the organisations had provided assistance to an older adult with an intellectual disability in the past 12 months. However, none of the agencies surveyed reported that they provided specialised programs or services to older adults with intellectual disabilities.


Educatia 21 ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 154-161
Author(s):  
Alexandra Fodor ◽  
Carmen Costea-Bărluțiu

Often people with intellectual disabilities are protected from exposure to death, dying and end-of-life issues, but this protection leaves the person unprepared for the grieving of unavoidable losses, and unaware of the changes implied by the old age of their caregivers. Considering the person with an intellectual disability as an immature being, lacking the ability to feel complex emotions, contributes to the tendency that both professionals and families have to avoid speaking with them about the difficult topic of death. Our goal is to design and implement a psychoeducational program that approaches the topic of death as a natural stage in life, for adults with intellectual disabilities. The effects that psychoeducation about death had on both death attitude and the perception of life are discussed based on a case presentation of one of the group members.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Lovell ◽  
Joanne Skellern

Aim: The research sought to enhance professional understanding of the violence perpetrated by some people with an intellectual disability. Background: The violent behaviour exhibited by some people with intellectual disabilities remains poorly understood, particularly with regard to a clear and informative definition. Design: A qualitative study investigated the views and perceptions of professionals working directly with people with an intellectual disability in different settings. Methods: Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were undertaken with professionals from a variety of backgrounds, and four themes were generated through data analysis. Findings: Themes produced comprised the degree of intellectual disability, impulsivity, intentionality and unpredictability. Findings indicated tension between understanding violence as purposeful and explaining it in relation to the intellectual disability and/or additional conditions. Conclusion: Intellectual disability is central to understanding the impact of the other three themes, though there is a professional reluctance to use such knowledge as evidence to inform practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 179-189
Author(s):  
Alisa Jordan Sheth

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to improve understandings of environmental influences on participation in routine and familiar activities for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia from first-person and caregiver perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Four adults with intellectual disabilities and dementia participated in 2 nominal group technique sessions and 12 family and staff caregivers participated in 5 standard focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed utilizing thematic analysis centering the findings from nominal group technique sessions and an ecological systems lens. Findings Participants with intellectual disabilities and dementia identified six important themes: activity access, caregiver assistance, social interactions, responsibilities, privacy, and health and wellness. Their perspectives focused primarily at an immediate environment level, while caregiver input added additional understandings from broader ecological systems levels. Originality/value This study provides a beginning point to establishing a framework for creating supports and addressing barriers to participation for adults with intellectual disability and dementia based on direct input from potential service consumers and their caregivers. People with intellectual disabilities and dementia provide valuable insights into their experiences through engagement in accessible research.


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