Abstract
People with intellectual disabilities have faced a long history of discrimination and prejudice that may have detrimental impacts on opportunities to thrive in parenting roles. An empirical understanding of the experiences and needs of parents with intellectual disabilities was sought through a community-academic research partnership led by Community Living British Columbia, to inform practice and policy improvements. As the second phase of this multiphase project, focus groups were conducted with N=28 parents with intellectual disabilities, to answer the question What are the parenting experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities in British Columbia, Canada; and what can we learn from these experiences to improve services? Interpretive description analysis of experiences highlighted reliance on informal supports due to a lack of formal and peers supports available. Five key themes of unmet support needs were shared: (1) accessible information, (2) recognition, (3) peer connection, (4) emotional and mental health, and (5) financial. Considerations for policy and practice are shared.
Accessible Summary
• Parents with intellectual disabilities often face judgement about their ability to parent, and may not be getting the support they need to thrive as parents
• This study asked parents with intellectual disabilities in British Columbia, Canada about their parenting experiences and needs
• Twenty-eight parents shared their experiences with us across four focus groups
• We reviewed what parents shared and learned that they are relying on family members for support because of a lack of formal and peer support available.
• Parents shared six key unmet support needs: (1) accessible information, (2) recognition, (3) peer connection, (4) emotional and mental health, and (5) financial.
• If formal services and supports are better able to meet the needs shared, parents with intellectual disabilities should feel more confident and able to thrive in their parenting roles