Occupations of Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: From Their Perspective

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine current and desired occupations and community-based resources following secondary education for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). There is limited research on self-report of young adults with IDD regarding their participation in desired occupations after secondary education. Although transition from home to adult life can be a difficult time for all young adults, individuals with IDD face a particularly challenging transition period. Almost all research that has been previously conducted on transition for these young adults has focused on efficacy of available services and family perspectives of the process. Little has been done to determine the individuals’ desires, so it is unknown if young adults are accessing the services they need to achieve their goals. A better understanding of this may be a crucial step in creating a better fit between client and service, developing higher quality programming, and promoting more successful outcomes for these young adults.

DESIGN: We conducted a descriptive study using convenience sampling and survey research to identify the current and desired occupations and community-based resources following secondary education for young adults with IDD. The inclusion criteria were young adults (ages 18–25) with a diagnosis of IDD in the western New York area. The exclusion criterion was current enrollment in secondary education.

METHOD: A researcher-developed questionnaire was designed specifically for this study to determine any disconnect between which occupations and community-based resources were being accessed and which were desired. The questionnaires were hand delivered to six community-based organizations that provide services to young adults with IDD. For data returned, the continuous variable, age, is presented as a mean + standard deviation. The categorical variables such as gender, town, race, and diagnosis are presented as frequencies and percentages. Content analysis was used for the short-answer questions. Dichotomous scales for yes–no questions were used to determine frequencies and percentages of yes answers.

RESULTS: Fifty-four questionnaires were administered, and 11 were excluded (N = 43). We found that many occupations and community-based resources were being accessed by young adults with IDD. These results had both similarities to and differences from current research on parent-given questionnaires. Many individuals with IDD desired access to more occupations such as cooking, money management, and paid work.

CONCLUSION: Adults with IDD are able to express their needs and desires as well as communicate which occupations are most meaningful to them. This research will assist therapists to gain a better understanding of the desired occupations of individuals with IDDs. This knowledge can help lead to more client-centered care for this population and advocacy with the individuals to develop new programs and opportunities.

References

Burchardt, T. (2004). Aiming high: The educational and occupational aspirations and of young disabled people. Support for Learning, 19, 181–186. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0268-2141.2004.00345.x

Davies, M., & Beamish, W. (2009) Transitions from school for young adults with intellectual disability: Parental perspectives on “life as an adjustment.” Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 34, 248–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/13668250903103676

Henninger, N., & Lounds Taylor, J. (2014). Family perspectives on a successful transition to adulthood for individuals with disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 52, 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-52.2.98

Hewitt, A., Agosta, J., Heller, T., Willams, A., & Reinke, J. (2013). Families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Policy, funding, services, and experiences. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 51, 349–359. https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-51.5.349