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Constructing adulthood in discussions about the futures of young people with moderate-profound intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MURPHY Elizabeth, CLEGG Jennifer, ALMACK Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 24(1), January 2011, pp.61-73.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper investigated how those planning the futures for young people with intellectual disabilities create definitions of adulthood and interpret those in relation to young people’s perceived capacity to plan their own futures. Participants included 28 young people who transitioned from children’s to adult services. Data is composed of interviews with the young people, their carers and transition staff. Findings revealed two distinct views. One considered young people as adults entitled to self-determination, invoking policy injunctions to do so. The other qualified the young people’s adult status and claims to self-determination, emphasising the reality of intellectual disability. The authors concluded that that transition to adult services for those with intellectual disabilities highlights difficulties regarding the relationship between vulnerable young people, families, professionals and society. Reducing these to right and wrong creates an unhelpful context for good decision making. A more constructive approach would include all stakeholders concerning the correct decision.