Participation and Companions for Socially Inclusive Community Activities by U.S. Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Wilson et al. (2023) asked U.S. adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities about their free-time activities. They looked at who joined clubs, went to church, or hung out with friends. They also asked if the person brought a companion and how many friends they felt they had.

The team used a big national survey. They compared people who joined groups with people who stayed home.

Adults who went to community groups or religious services had more friends. The same people also felt more included.

Almost half—45 %—said they wanted to join more groups but could not. The main barrier was no support to get there.

Kunze et al. (2025) widens the lens. Siblings of the same adults say support networks are tiny and mostly family. Both papers agree: outside help is scarce.

Doughty et al. (2015) seems to disagree. That study found adults with autism had fewer friendships and little "social determination." The gap closes when you see H et al. looked only at autism, while J et al. studied the broader IDD group. Narrower diagnosis, tougher social scores.

Friedman (2018) shows why access is hard. Most Medicaid waivers allow participant direction—families can choose services—but states expect almost no one to use it. Policy says yes, numbers say no.

Schott et al. (2021) adds the same tune: two-thirds of autistic adults on waiver waitlists still lack basic services. Unmet need is a theme across studies.

If you support adults with IDD, treat community groups as a service, not a luxury. Ask on Monday, "What club do you want to join?" Then build a plan: who will drive, who will sit with them, and how will they learn the rules? One companion can turn a wish into a weekly bowling night—and more friends.