Integrated Supports: Perspectives from Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities

All individuals need supports throughout their lives. Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) may rely on integrated supports – a combination of formal (i.e., paid supports provided by service providers) and natural supports (i.e., unpaid supports provided by people within the person’s social network). Although adults with IDD should be empowered to choose their own supports, little research has explored their perspectives about integrated supports. The purpose of this study was to explore how adults with IDD perceive integrated supports. Specifically, we conducted individual interviews with 46 adults with IDD about their experiences with integrated supports. While some participants provided definitions of formal and natural supports that aligned with definitions used in the extant literature, approximately half of the participants were unfamiliar with these supports. Although most participants were somewhat satisfied with their supports, nearly all participants requested more integrated supports. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.