A school-based intervention can promote insights into future parenting in students with intellectual disabilities-A Swedish interview study

Abstract

Background: Few studies have focused on how youth with intellectual disability (ID) can be facilitated in reasoning about future parenthood. This study aimed to explore an intervention using the Toolkit "Childrenwhat does it involve?" and the Real-Care-Baby (RCB) simulator among students with ID.

Method: Sixteen students with ID who participated in an intervention with 13 educational sessions, with adapted knowledge and a three-day caring session with the RCB simulator, were individually interviewed after the intervention. Qualitative content analysis was used.

Results: Participants reported that the intervention provided important thoughts and insights on future parenting, providing a basis for informed decisions. The ability to be responsible and have autonomy in life and in caring for a future child were described as important.

Conclusion: After an intervention, with structured and adapted knowledge and experiences of the RCB simulator, students with ID reported an understanding of the importance of informed decisions about future parenthood.

Keywords: intellectual disability; intervention; parenting; qualitative study; student.