About Us > Our Programs > In-Home Support

In-Home Support

Connections provides in-home support and education to families where one or both parents have an intellectual disability.

In-home support includes education and training meant to ensure that parents are able to meet their own needs and the needs of their children (many of whom also have learning challenges), as best as they are able.

This support is tailored around the unique learning needs of individuals with an intellectual disability and is hands-on and skills focused.

Our support often includes:

  • Teaching independent living skills regarding self-care, home management, and budgeting, as these skills relate to their role as a parent
  • Teaching parenting skills to ensure adequate instrumental childcare and a safe home environment for the parents and their children
  • Skills which foster nurturing interactions and positive communication
  • Providing information regarding basic childhood development
  • Problem solving skills
  • Supporting the individual in accessing the appropriate community services, including accompanying them to medical, educational, and legal appointments as required

Research supports this approach to best ensure a positive outcome for the children living within these families. These programs are of great importance because 'A significant predictor of child well-being is the adequacy of supports that parents have regardless of their own level of knowledge and skill' (Tymchuk, 1992).

Issues for children being raised by a parent with an intellectual disability, who is not receiving necessary supports, include:

  • Risk factors associated with poverty (e.g. neglect, abuse)
  • Risk factors associated with isolation
  • Developmental delay due to environmental circumstances
  • Assuming parental responsibility as they get older and have more skills than their parents
  • Adjustment difficulties as they recognize their parent's disability and society's judgment toward him/her