Employment and attendance in day care centres for people with mild intellectual disabilities - do age, gender, functional level or hospital admissions matter?

Mental health, challenging behaviour, diagnosis, and access to employment for people with intellectual disabilities in Norway

BACKGROUND

Studies have found that presence of challenging behaviours and mental health problems limits employment for people with intellectual disabilities. This study investigates the associations between age, gender, living condition, level of intellectual disability, diagnoses, behaviour, mental health, and employment in adults with intellectual disabilities in Norway.

METHOD

A cross-sectional community-based survey including 214 adult participants (56% men) with intellectual disabilities.

RESULTS

In our sample, 25% had no organised day activity, 27% attended non-work day care, 19% attended sheltered employment, or day care with production, without pay and 29% worked in paid sheltered employment. One participant attended mainstream employment. Moderate and severe/profound level of intellectual disability, possible organic condition and irritability significantly reduced the odds of employment (paid and unpaid).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest unequal access to the sheltered employment that was meant to be inclusive. More individualised evaluation of prerequisites is suggested to further facilitate employment for this group.

Participation in employment and day care for adults with intellectual disabilities: Equal access for all?

BACKGROUND

The employment rate for people with intellectual disabilities is low. This study aims to increase the knowledge about the association between age, gender, diagnosis, functional level, educational level, and daily activities for adults with intellectual disabilities.

METHOD

A multinomial logistic analysis was applied to registry data on 12,735 adults with intellectual disabilities from the Norwegian Information System for the Nursing and Care Sector (IPLOS) and Statistics Norway (SSB).

RESULTS

Higher likelihood of employment and day care participation were associated with younger age but differed between genders and diagnoses. High functional level and lack of a registered functional level decreased the likelihood for employment. Educational level was not associated with employment.

CONCLUSIONS

The systematic differences in employment and day care participation among people with intellectual disabilities indicate that actions are needed to prevent inequalities. Improved individual assessment of personal resources and wishes might promote participation in employment and day care.