Aging adult children with developmental disabilities and their families: challenges for occupational therapists and physical therapists

The purpose of this article was to review the literature about families of adult children with developmental disabilities, the impact of culture on access to health care services, and community-based health care services for adults with developmental disabilities to answer the following questions: (1) How do parents of adult children with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities describe their caregiving experiences?, (2) What are frequently identified unmet service needs by the parents/families?, (3) Does the family's culture or ethnic background influence how they view their caregiving experiences?, and (4) What are the unique challenges facing families when attempting to access health care services? Currently little information exists about the needs of parents and other family members who live with adults with developmental disabilities. Longitudinal studies and studies to assess the influence of culture on care giving are especially needed. Therapists need to use approaches that will empower children and their families so they can better meet their current challenges and provide a foundation for the skills they will need to meet future challenges as adults.