To fulfill its mission, the Special Interest Research Group on Parents and Parenting with Intellectual Disabilities initiates and coordinates a range of activities, including but not limited to:

1. Developing topic streams and symposia on parents and parenting with intellectual disabilities at regional and international IASSID conferences.  For example, in October, 2010, a total of nineteen papers, comprising six symposia were presented at the IASSID-Europe Congress in Rome. 

2. Evaluating and synthesising messages from research—and through a consensus building process-- developing authoritative position papers that define ‘the state of the science’ and identify important directions for future research. See:

IASSID Special Interest research Group on Parents and parenting with Intellectual Disabilities (2008). Parent labelled with intellectual disability: Position of the IASSID SIRG on parents and parenting with Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21 (4), 296-307.

     Download a copy of the 2008 position paper

3. Undertaking collaborative projects. For example, in 2010, members of the Special Interest Research Group produced the first international book on Parents and Parenting with Intellectual Disabilities. See:

Llewellyn, G., Traustadottir, R., McConnell, D., & Sigurjónsdóttir, H.B. (Eds.), (2010). Parents with intellectual disabilities: Past, present and futures. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.

       Order a copy of this book

4. Facilitating the dissemination of information using a variety of web-based media including but not limited to a “Parents and Parenting with Intellectual Disability Listserv” (i.e., an email distribution list). All members will automatically be added to the Listserv.

5. Nurturing the next generation of researchers in the field by creating opportunities for graduate research students to come together, share their work, and participate fully in all SIRG/PID activities.

     Learn more about SIRG/PID conference travel grants

6. Organising workshop training opportunities, at novice and advanced levels, for practitioners working with parents with intellectual disabilities

     Learn more about workshop training opportunities

7. Upon request, connecting governments and non-government agencies to experts in the field who can offer consultation and training that is tailored to the agency’s needs and circumstances.

8. Representing the views of the SIRG/PID in dialogue with government and international bodies including but not limited to the World Health Organisation and the United Nations.