Scoping review of social participation of individuals with profound intellectual disability in adulthood: What can I do once I finish school?

ABSTRACT

Background: After 21 years of age, adults with a profound intellectual disability (PID) have limited access to specialised services. An important concern that emerges is the potential decrease in their social participation. Knowing the benefits of social participation for adults with PID, it is relevant to address this issue.

Method: This scoping review examined the literature on the social participation of people with PID in young adulthood and its influential factors.

Results: Results suggest a significant lack of information concerning social participation of these adults. During adulthood, people with PID have currently two main choices to occupy their days: activities in daily activities centre and leisure in community organisation. Few options to maintain their capabilities are available, and this situation has significant impacts on young adults and their families.

Conclusion: Future studies focusing specifically on adults with PID and their caregivers are needed to understand their reality when entering adulthood.

KEYWORDS:

• Quality of life
• neurodevelopmental disorder
• adulthood
• transition
• inclusion

Acknowledgement

The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. All authors approved the manuscript and agree to the order of authors as listed on the title page.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Mélanie Couture http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4919-573X