Children of parents with intellectual disability: facing poor outcomes or faring okay?

Children of parents with intellectual disability are assumed to be at risk of poor outcomes but a comprehensive review of the literature has not previously been undertaken.

A database and reference search from March 2010 to March 2011 resulted in 26 studies for review.

Two groups of studies were identified. The first investigated an association between parental intellectual disability and child outcomes where there was significant disadvantage. Some findings suggest low parental intellectual capacity can negatively impact child outcomes, but others indicate child development approaches population norms. A second, small group of studies explored narrative accounts of childhood to find that social exclusion, bullying, and stigma are commonplace. Removal from parental care emerged as a significant risk for this group of children.

Studies focusing on child development represent 85% of the literature but reach no consensus about likely developmental or behavioural outcomes. Children studied usually come from clinical populations or other high-risk groups, and are typically young children.