Parents with Intellectual Disabilities: Past Present and Futures

Abstract

Reviews the book, Parents with Intellectual Disabilities: Past Present and Futures edited by G. Llewellyn et al. (see record 2010-14563-000). The book's focus is on the experiences of parents with intellectual disabilities and how they can be supported to be successful in the role. One of its principal virtues is that many chapters feature the 'voice', both of parents and of their children. Each chapter includes Principles for Practice, which translates the research messages into practical implications. The book takes a resolutely positive view of the capability of most parents with intellectual disabilities to parent if given support. Several chapters note that most parents would struggle if lacking money, positive experience of being parented themselves, supportive networks and sympathetic professional help. The book features a range of positive interventions from around the world, which demonstrably support people's parenting capabilities, shared decision making, parenting education, parental advocacy and readaptation centers. This is a book very much about western research and experience. Overall, this is a comprehensive and practical book that will undoubtedly become the standard reference point in the important area of parents with intellectual disabilities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)