Autonomy and People with Intellectual Disabilities Who Require More Intensive Support

In this article we explore the personal autonomy of people with intellectual disabilities who require more intensive support. The authors draw on qualitative research in Iceland carried out in the homes of 24 individuals. It is demonstrated how their personal autonomy can be defined, evaluated and e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research
Main Authors: Guðrún Stefánsdóttir, Kristín Björnsdóttir, Ástríður Stefánsdóttir
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Stockholm University Press 2018
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.21
https://doaj.org/article/3fb525596bfd4ee9a39cfa199c95221c
Description
Summary:In this article we explore the personal autonomy of people with intellectual disabilities who require more intensive support. The authors draw on qualitative research in Iceland carried out in the homes of 24 individuals. It is demonstrated how their personal autonomy can be defined, evaluated and enhanced in their daily lives. The conclusions show that to be able to respect personal autonomy of the participants those who support them need to view them as socially embedded, where personal autonomy is formed in relation to other people. To do that we refer to the idea of relational autonomy with support, advocacy and enablement being regarded as key elements for personal autonomy to flourish. By using this approach it is possible to note a positive change regarding respect for the personal autonomy of people with intellectual disabilities who require more intensive support. Considerable advances can still be made, however, in enhancing personal autonomy in their daily lives.