Aging with intellectual disability: perception of professionals at the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Disabilities

OBJECTIVE: To understand the aging of people with intellectual disability from the perspective of education professionals at the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Disabilities (Associação de Pais e Amigos dos Excepcionais [APAE]). METHODS: This is an exploratory, descriptive study with a qualitative approach; data were collected in November 2020 from 17 education professionals working at APAE by using a structured online questionnaire via the Google Forms platform. Data were transcribed and organized in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and a Microsoft Word text file, and data analysis followed the discourse of the collective subject methodology. RESULTS: Six central ideas emerged from the results: the aging of people with intellectual disability is expected, but premature; understanding the aging process of people with intellectual disability: a deficit of understanding or non-existence; stereotypes, prejudice, and stigma linked to older adults with intellectual disability; cognitive impairment when aging with intellectual disability: skills, functioning, autonomy, and independence; limitations and disabilities of older adults with intellectual disability require care and support; and communication difficulties of older adults with intellectual disability: welcoming, stimulating, and raising awareness. CONCLUSIONS: Aging with intellectual disability involves dismissing infantilization and stereotypes, providing opportunities for activities of daily living and social experiences,