Managing relational autonomy in interactions: People with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background: This article is about interactions that occur when someone with intellectual disabilities is engaged in everyday activities with a personal assistant (PA) or a support worker. Method: We examine the detail of nine hours of naturally occurring video-recorded interactions, to explore how “relational autonomy” is done in practice. Nine people with ID and seven staff took part in the research, which took place in England from 2016–17. Results: We selected six extracts to illustrate different types of joint decision-making. Informed by inclusive research with a drama group of people with intellectual disabilities, we focus on the ways in which (a) future plans are discussed; (b) choices are offered during an activity; (c) people reflect on their decisions. Conclusion: The article concludes with discussion about the teaching and learning content of choice-making, on relational autonomy, and the practice learning for PAs, support workers and for people with intellectual disabilities.