Abstract

This article addresses the challenges facing adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in their life course as adults, and the implications on the necessary supports from social services. Through qualitative interviews with six adults with IDD, aged 60 and over, their life stories in adulthood were retrospectively described. Major events and crossroads were mapped, and a thematic analysis undertaken. The mapping process revealed three parallel life courses: relationships with parents, changes in living arrangements and involvement in couple relationships. The analysis indicated: struggles facing a reality dictated without choice, a desire for personal initiative and active involvement with regard to romantic relationships, and striving for independent living. A continued dependency on others throughout adulthood stood out as a main finding. The interviewees did not mention having received support during times of crises in their lives. Based on these findings, a new holistic model of supports is presented, designed to emphasize the importance of developing a separate and autonomous personal identity, enabling individuals with IDD to make decisions, shape their own lives and experience a meaningful life. Future studies should expand the sample under study to include different age groups reporting their experience both in adulthood and in childhood.

摘要

本文介绍了智力和发育障碍（IDD）成年人在成年人的生活中所面临的挑战，以及对社会服务的必要支持的影响。通过对六名60岁及以上IDD成年人的定性访谈，回顾性地描述了他们的成年生活故事。绘制了重大事件和十字路口，并进行了主题分析。测绘过程揭示了三个平行的生活过程：与父母的关系，生活安排的变化以及对夫妻关系的参与。分析表明：面对现实的斗争是无选择的，对个人主动的渴望和对浪漫关系的积极参与，以及争取独立生活的努力。一个主要发现是在整个成年期对他人的持续依赖。被采访者没有提到在生活中遇到危机时得到了支持。基于这些发现，提出了一种新的整体支持模型，旨在强调建立独立自主的个人身份的重要性，使具有IDD的个人能够做出决定，塑造自己的生活并体验有意义的生活。未来的研究应扩大被研究的样本，以包括报告其成年和童年经验的不同年龄组。旨在强调发展独立自主的个人身份的重要性，使具有IDD的个人能够做出决定，塑造自己的生活并体验有意义的生活。未来的研究应扩大被研究的样本，以包括报告其成年和童年经验的不同年龄组。旨在强调发展独立自主的个人身份的重要性，使具有IDD的个人能够做出决定，塑造自己的生活并体验有意义的生活。未来的研究应扩大被研究的样本，以包括报告其成年和童年经验的不同年龄组。