Parent Support for Mental Healthcare of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Parents of children with developmental disabilities are intricately involved with their child’s well-being, services, supports, and accommodations. As policies have continued to highlight family involvement, interventions have increasingly shifted to incorporate a caregiver component as well. Research has mirrored this shift, as seen in an increased focus on the impact of caregiver factors on intervention outcomes and a focus on caregiver mental health in general. It is documented that parents feel less support as their child enters the adult community, post high school, particularly in the realm of healthcare and mental health services. This change across the integral domains of policy, caregiver support, clinical services, and research reflects the importance of caregivers and their advocacy in supporting their children across the life span. Families of children and individuals with developmental disabilities are encouraged to take advantage of such programs regarding policy, seek interventions where they may be an active participant, and absorb research that highlights specific factors they might be experiencing. This is true for clinicians as well, as they are strongly advised to incorporate families in their work and be aware of policies that highlight caregiver importance. Examining the resources available in each domain as well as the gaps in the literature and services not only presents an analysis of the present supports but also is a call to action for both caregivers and professionals. Thus, this sheds light on the supports present for caregivers themselves and the importance of continuing to highlight and champion this work in the field.