Working with parents with mental retardation: Lessons from research

Rede social de apoio de mães com deficiência intelectual

“…Em relação aos indivíduos com defi ciência intelectual, além de fornecerem tais benefícios, as redes de apoio podem ser responsáveis pela melhoria da qualidade de vida e pela manutenção da saúde física e mental e do bem-estar (Booth & Booth, 1994;Kroese, Hussein, Clifford, & Ahmed, 2002;Llewellyn & McConnell, 2002;McConnell, Dalziel, Llewellyn, Laidlaw, & Hindmarsh, 2009). Podem também estar relacionadas a estilos positivos de interação entre a mãe defi ciente e seus fi lhos (Feldman, Varghese, Ramsay, & Rajska, 2002), e à compensação de limitadas habilidades parentais (Llewellyn & McConnell, 1998).…”

Tiny specks in microscopes: the impact of human service workers on the lives of parents with intellectual disabilities

“…As noted earlier, some parents have had such negative experiences with service agencies that they avoided them thereby "cutting themselves off from potential sources of support or help in crisis" (Booth & Booth, 1994a, p. 31 ). And because it has been reported that support is an important factor in keeping parents with intellectual disabilities and their families together (Booth & Booth, 1994a;Espe-Sherwindt & Crable, 1993), it is important to hear from parents about their experiences concerning the support they are receiving. In addition, it is important to ensure that parents feel comfortable with the support they are getting so that they may access it when they choose.…”

“…Third, it provides opportunity for the voices of participants to be heard through the use of in-depth interviews. Booth and Booth (1994a) note that research to date on parents with intellectual disabilities "fails to convey any impression of the parents as people or of the lives that they lead" (p. 31 ). And fourth, this methodology, unlike other qualitative research methodologies, emphasizes theory development (Corbin & Strauss, 1990).…”

“…They are living and working in the community as well as marrying and becoming parents. The question that now arises is whether these parents can adequately care for their children (Booth & Booth, 1994a intellectual disabilities who will perhaps have a greater likelihood of being successful. These include having an IQ of over 50, having a spouse, raising fewer children, having an adequate income, having a support network, and being willing to accept the support that is offered.…”

“…Booth & Booth (1994a) state, "that families whose children were removed permanently typically had only limited support, lost their support at a crucial time, or were viewed as incompetent by key figures within their support system" (p. 30). Because adequate support and the willingness to accept support have been identified as important factors in keeping parents with intellectual disabilities and their children together, it is necessary to determine how service affects these parents' lives.…”