Importance of Peer Support
Sometimes people describe peer support as someone helping someone else who is the same age. But real peer support is provided by someone with a shared lived experience. For example, a person with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) can provide peer support to another person with IDD.
“I would say that it doesn't even [count] as peer support if it's done by someone who is neurotypical or otherwise doesn't identify with the Autistic community." (Peer supporter Interview)
When the young people giving and receiving support have similar ages and life experiences, they better understand each other’s wants and needs. Young adults with IDD find it easier to share their thoughts and feelings with someone who has “been there.”
"Peers with IDD are more relatable" (Young adult in the Focus Groups)
Researchers hypothesize "that learning from a peer with similar experiences (i.e., another young adult with IDD-MH) can facilitate outcomes that may not occur when young adults are only provided professional support"1
Research proves that peer support by a young person with IDD works. But this type of peer support is not used as often as it could be.
Studies have shown that peer support betters the lives of people with IDD in:
- Independent living: managing everyday responsibilities for life after high school like getting around the community, managing money, and taking care of oneself
- Social skills and relationships: opportunities to develop friendships and relationships
- Employment: finding interesting jobs in the community and help at work
Importance of Peer Support in directing future research
Young adults with IDD, their families and caregivers, and other experts know from experience what types of supports and services work best. Peer support can help young adults with IDD, their families and caregivers, and other experts be involved in research projects that affect them. On research teams, young adults with IDD and their caregivers can name and advocate for their research priorities or main concerns. These research priorities can improve transition experiences of young people with IDD.
Go to the next page to learn more about Our Inclusive Team
References
1. Schwartz AE; Young Adult Mental Health/Peer Mentoring Research Team; Kramer JM, Rogers ES, McDonald KE, Cohn ES. Stakeholder-driven approach to developing a peer-mentoring intervention for young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2020 Sep;33(5):992-1004. doi: 10.1111/jar.12721.