Transition to adulthood for young people with Intellectual Disabilities
Elena Bortolotti
To grow, become an adult and find one’s identity are the processes by which we live. They are complex processes, influenced by both the individual and the environment in which we live. The presence of an intellectual disability (ID) increases the risk of not realising one’s full adult potential. Adulthood, as we typically recognise it, is achievable for those with ID only if there is a «life project» put into place to guide them towards a more independent life. To reach these goals, services that are coordinated and available for all are required. This paper examines the role of independent living, through residential facilities, in guaranteeing the right to develop as an adult for those with ID.
Keywords
Adulthood, identity, life project, intellectual disability, services
