TRIP

Lack of activity for adults with learning disability also impacts on siblings

Working with Evidence about Learning Disabilities, 2012

Ten years ago, the Mencap campaigns team produced a document setting out the lack of activity for many people with learning disabilities, A Life in the Day, Campaigns Team, Mencap, February 2002.) This continues to be a concern today for many.
This US study responded to the concerns expressed by parents and professionals about the lack of regular educational–vocational activities available.
The researchers looked at a number of predictors of inactivity in individuals with learning and developmental disabilities, and also looked at how inactivity related to the well being of siblings.
They worked with 796 siblings of adults with learning and developmental disabilities responding to web-based survey.
They found 13% of adults with learning and developmental disabilities were without daytime activities.
In addition they found them poorly by the service system and that their parents were less able to provide care.
They found the siblings reported more depressive symptoms, worse health, and less close sibling relationships.
However, when the researchers controlled for characteristics predisposing people to have no activities, such inactivity no longer predicted these problems.