Background: Parents with intellectual disabilities face many barriers to accessing efficacious supports and services designed to support thriving in their parenting role. A review of research in this area may identify a nuanced understanding of common experiences, including potential barriers and facilitators to success and thriving.
Methods: A scoping review of 28 studies was conducted to offer a comprehensive answer to the question What are the parenting experiences as shared by adults with intellectual disabilities in the literature over the last two decades(2005–Present)?
Findings: Key study characteristics and recurring themes are shared. Ableism was a recurring theme experienced across multiple systemic levels including: (1) institutional: broader society and child welfare systems, (2) interpersonal: formal and informal supports and (3) internalized: identity as a parent.
Conclusions: This study identified that discriminatory assumptions about people with intellectual disabilities and their capacity to succeed in the role of parent generate and exacerbate barriers to autonomy, empowerment, and independence. Opportunities to further research and practice in this area are shared.