A study of persons with severe intellectual disabilities: Gender, the home environment, schooling and outcomes

Abstract

The area of severe intellectual disability has received little attention in Australian research.This study is a preliminary investigation of the issues of gender, the home situation, access to curricula and access to work in a range of school and post school placements for a group of 80 young persons with severe intellectual disability.The aim of the study was to document and integrate the views of service recipients, their families and service providers in a climate of change. The overall conclusion is that current support services are inadequate in home, school and post-school settings. Suggested recommendations for change are included.The hypothesis generated: that unequal access to home based skills: school curricula and work placements is resulting in double disadvantage for young women with severe intellectual disability, requires further testing.