Individual and Family Correlates of Community Living Options Among Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Abstract With recent policy changes and case-law decisions, there are more opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to live independently in inclusive settings. It is necessary to identify malleable correlates of community living options to develop interventions to increase inclusive, independent living. To this end, 546 parents and siblings of adults with IDD responded to a national survey. According to parent and sibling report, adults with IDD were more likely to live outside of the family home when the family engaged in future planning, the individual had more informal supports and more functional abilities and had parents with fewer caregiving abilities. Among the 187 adults with IDD who lived outside of the family home, individuals with more problem behaviors and fewer functional abilities were more likely to live in larger group homes (versus independently with or without supports). Further, when the family engaged in more future planning activities, adults with disabilities were more likely to live in a group home (versus independently). When parents had fewer caregiving abilities, adults with disabilities were more likely to live in bigger group homes (versus independently). Implications for policymakers, practitioners, and research are discussed.