Researchers from the University of Newcastle are currently investigating how young people with a mild intellectual disability (ID) are transitioning into adulthood.

The aim of our study is to better understand why some young adults, particularly those with a mild ID find this time in their life problematic and why some find it difficult to cope. Participants don't have to have experienced any problems to complete the study.

We are currently recruiting three groups of participants.

These are young people aged 18-30:

• With velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS)
• With a mild intellectual disability of idiopathic (unknown) origin
• Siblings of individuals with either VCFS or a mild ID of idiopathic origin, who themselves do not have an intellectual disability or genetic deletion.

The study would involve completing a series of online questionnaires relating to general mental health symptoms as well as the process of growing up and personal expectations for the future. It would also involve completing an online problem-solving task at a later date, and returning a saliva swab that we would post in the mail.

Participation in the study would take around 60 minutes. For participants with reading and/or comprehension difficulties, we encourage another person to read the questions aloud in order to make the process faster. Because some of the questions are personal in nature, it is advisable for the person to be someone the participant feels close to or trusts.

The collection, storage and reporting of participant data will follow strict guidelines set out by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Newcastle. This project has been approved by the ethics committee, approval number H-2010-1134.

Click here to be taken to the survey website