Young People with Cognitive Disability in Transition to Adulthood
Stories of Survival and Aspiration in the Face of Adversity

Presents narratives of young people with cognitive disability transitioning to adulthood, within a human rights framework.

Kathy Ellem (Author), Paul Harpur (Author), Fotina Hardy (Author), Michael Ashley Stein (Author), Ann Fudge Schormans (Author)

9781009408707, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 February 2025

290 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.56 kg

This book presents the lived experiences of young people with cognitive disability and their struggles as they transition to adulthood. Whether you are a young person yourself looking to transition to adulthood, a parent, or a professional supporting a young person, this book will help you understand the systemic failures which have caused abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence. But it will also outline the inner and outer resources which have enabled young people to maintain their self-belief and overcome adversity. Despite the fact society is failing these young people, the young people in this book speak of belief and have hope for the future. Drawing upon the United Nations human rights framework, this book provides a narrative for empowerment and reform. It involves the input of co-researchers with disability and includes Easy English summaries in each chapter to ensure its accessibility to young people with cognitive disability.

1. Introduction
2. Violence against young people with cognitive disability
3. Working in partnership with people with lived experience: an inclusive methodology
4. Amethyst's story
5. Experiences of young people with cognitive disability: the complex road to adulthood
6. The many faces of violence
7. Young people and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): 'The standard cookie cutter approach'
8. Don't give up on us: young people's experiences of education and employment
9. Housing, home and mental wellbeing: the need for self-determination and safety
10. Young people's experiences of the child protection and criminal justice systems
11. Having someone in your corner
12. In the voices of participants: what needs to change
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Clinical psychology [MMJ]