915 Couple Relationships, sexuality and parenting of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities- As part of their life journey from dependency in childhood to autonomy in adulthood Ran Neuman Abstract People with disabilities often need the assistance of others in their daily lives and thus depend on them and on their support. The degree to which this dependence is personally interpreted and experienced by the person with disability lies in the extent to which significant others recognize his/her unique personality and rights, and, at the same time his/her need for approval by others even when they hinder and make them hide their own personal inclination, wishes and aspirations. The present chapter focuses on the scope of couple- relationships, sexuality, and parenting in the lives of adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, IDD, and deal with the question whether and how they can be assisted to break free from dependence on others and find greater autonomy and a personal meaning in their adult lives. In the past, the question of the transition of people with IDD from childhood to adulthood was examined Chapter on page 713
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