Parents' Perceptions of Postschool Years for Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated parents' perceptions of the various roles they played in their adult children's lives during the post-high school years. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with 9 families of young adults with developmental disabilities. Findings indicated that families perceived the complexity of their roles as balancing between advocating for their adult children's needs while promoting independence and self-determination. The roles parents assumed as their children entered into adult life were those of collaborators, decision makers, and program evaluators, role models, trainers, mentors and instructors, and systems change agents. Parents often felt they were the safety net for their children and the back-up plan for service agencies. Parents' quotes illustrated the complexity of the roles they played as their young adult children with developmental disabilities entered adulthood.

Parents' accounts: Factors considered when deciding how far to involve their son/daughter with learning disabilities in choice-making

“…However, less is understood about the specific roles parents may assume when there are choices to be made for/about their son or daughter, and the processes by which they decide about the role the young person will play in the choice-making process (Rueda et al, 2005, Bianco et al, 2009, Murphy et al, 2011.…”

Out of School and Into Distress: Families of Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Transition

“…Transition periods have repeatedly been reported as a time of confusion and stress for families (Bianco et al . ; Davies & Beamish ; Neece et al . ; Power ; Gillan & Coughlan ).…”

“…), and parents are not always prepared for the intensity and frequency of support needed (Bianco et al . ).…”

“…Parents may struggle while attempting to balance their efforts to help their child be a self‐advocate with their efforts to act on their behalf (Bianco et al . ).…”

“…; Bianco et al . ; Hendricks & Wehman ). Rather than experiencing increased independence and reductions in family support, young adults with IDD may continue to rely on parent caregivers to receive support (Neece et al .…”