Background

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are moving from childhood into adulthood have a hard time finding service providers who have experience working with adults with IDD. This makes it hard for young adults with IDD and their families to find services that meet their needs. Without the services and supports they need, young people may find it difficult to access waiver services, go to college, get a job, or manage everyday responsibilities.

One parent told us:
“We're just kind of grasping for whatever. Because if there was something we knew that from going to school you're entitled to things to going to transition into adulthood…if I would have known the possibilities and how to do it, that would have been fantastic. But you don't. Even when he was younger, nobody really tells you anything. If you're lucky enough to get hooked up with parents that have information, that's great. But otherwise, if you don't, you're just floating in a sea, you're just grasping for a lifeboat.” (interview)

Peer support is one solution to this gap in services and supports. A person with IDD can understand the experiences of another person with IDD. Research has shown that peer support by people with IDD works. Research has shown that peer support can help young people with IDD with the transition to college, work, adult relationships, and managing everyday responsibilities. Peer support can also help young adults with IDD participate in research that matters to them and improves transition outcomes. Young people and their families can ask the agencies, organizations, and people who support them about available peer support services.

Go to the next page to learn more about the importance of peer support