The Impact of Personal Characteristics of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disability on Self‐determination and Autonomous Functioning

Abstract

Background Many people assume that the presence of an intellectual disability precludes a person from becoming self‐determined. Recent research, however, has suggested that the environments in which people live, learn, work or play may play a more important role in promoting self‐determination then do personal characteristics of the person, including level of intelligence. Methods This study examined the self‐determination and autonomous functioning of 301 adults with intellectual disability or a developmental disability without concomitant intellectual impairments (e.g. persons with cerebral palsy, epilepsy and spina bifida) as a function of personal characteristics of individuals. Results Intellectual capacity was not a significant contributor to either self‐determination or autonomous functioning for this group. Opportunities to make choices, however, contributed significantly and positively to greater self‐determination and autonomy. Intelligence scores did, however, predict whether the person worked or lived in more or less restrictive settings, though for the latter, both self‐determination and autonomous functioning also contributed significantly. Conclusions These findings are discussed with regard to the role of personal characteristics, particularly intelligence level, in promoting self‐determination and more positive adult outcomes.