Parents' perspectives on the lives of their teenagers with disabilities: A focus on inclusion

The perspectives on inclusion of five parents of children with intellectual disabilities were explored in this qualitative study. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were used to gain the parents' perspectives on their child's level of inclusion at home, in the community, and at school. Most parents in the study were content overall with how well their child was included in the school and community. However, all parents expressed a desire to have their children more active socially, in particular, making and sustaining friends. The parents felt that their child would benefit a great deal from closer friendships with their peers. All families indicated that they were the primary social group for their child as well as the key advocate. As a result of this work, a series of recommendations were developed to increase the level of inclusion in schools and communities. They included gaining a more holistic picture of inclusion by interviewing siblings and peers of children with disabilities, and educating the community about programs that include people with disabilities.