Background: Parenting by people with intellectual disability is attracting increasing attention, and policymakers and service providers require empirical evidence to develop sound policy and service responses. The purpose of the study was to identify prevalence and demographic data on parents with ID in Australia compared with parents with other…

In many countries, women and men with intellectual disability (ID) marry and have children of their own; however, in some countries, this is still taboo. Reproduction and parenting by people with ID is often a "hot" topic. Important questions related to this phenomenon include: Can people with ID provide "good enough"…

Background: Despite the frequency with which mothers with intellectual disability have their children removed, little theoretical or empirical work has understood the mothers' perspectives on this. A few studies have reported mothers' feelings of grief and loss and their sense of powerlessness in the child protection system. Method: This…

Many parents with intellectual disability experience living conditions associated with risk for children and parents. This study used structural equation modeling to test a theoretical model of the relationships among parent, child, family, and contextual variables in 120 Australian families where a parent had an intellectual disability. Findings…

Background: Children of parents with intellectual disability are assumed to be at risk of poor outcomes but a comprehensive review of the literature has not previously been undertaken. Method: A database and reference search from March 2010 to March 2011 resulted in 26 studies for review. Results: Two groups of studies were identified. The first…

It is unlikely that every parent with intellectual disability comes under the scrutiny of the care and protection system. That many do is evident in the figures from a number of countries that report between 30 and 40% of the children of parents with intellectual disability are removed from their parents' care and placed in protective custody, in…

Parents with intellectual disabilities, like all other parents, need support with child rearing. Often this support comes from family and friends, but in the case of parents with intellectual disabilities, they are more likely to have to rely on the service system. Research from a number of countries demonstrates that there is limited system…

Background: This paper reviews recent research to provide an updated perspective on the effectiveness of parent training interventions for parents with intellectual disability. The degree to which these studies meet previous recommendations for future research is explored, particularly with regard to the influence of context on intervention…

A study examined the everyday family life of six Australian parent couples with intellectual disabilities. Results indicate that much of what the parents knew about parenting came from their childhood memories or family traditions, followed the example set by other family members, and reflected lessons learned from daily parenting practice. (CR)

This study evaluated a home-based intervention for parents with intellectual disability to promote child health and home safety in the preschool years. The intervention improved parents' ability to recognize home dangers and to handle emergencies, increased their knowledge about illness and medicines, and increased the number of safety precautions…

A research project in Australia investigated the support and service needs of 47 parents (40 mothers and 7 fathers) with intellectual disability. The study involved interviews and questionnaires with parents, significant others, and service workers; focus groups; and a survey of generic service providers. Findings indicated that 63 percent of…

This introductory article to a special issue on parenting by persons with intellectual disabilities discusses the need for information sharing across nations, the facilitation of political self-activism by parents with intellectual disabilities, the need for suitable support for this population, and the epidemiological data needed to promote…

A study investigated the characteristics of the support networks of 25 Australian mothers with intellectual disabilities. Three types of support networks were found based on mothers' living arrangements: mothers living in a parent/parent-figure household, mothers living alone with their children, and mothers living with a partner in their own…

This study determined prevalence and outcome data on parents with disabilities and their children in statutory child-protection proceedings in New South Wales (Australia). Parents with disabilities (usually psychiatric or intellectual) featured in almost one-third of the cases. Court outcomes indicated a disproportionately large number of children…

A study investigated the views of 47 Australian parents with intellectual disability, 15 significant others, and 26 service workers on parents' service needs. Parents identified community participation as their greatest unmet need, specifically help to explore work options, know what community services are available, and to meet people. (Author/CR)