Composition of Membership in Communities ofAdults with Developmental Disabilities

<p>Following the growing interest in child developmental disorders, adult developmental</p><p>disorders have also become a social issue, but improvements in support</p><p>for adults with developmental disorders is insufficient when compared with</p><p>the demand. Instead, there is a growing need for peer support. There are also</p><p>many points which have not been clarified regarding methods by which persons</p><p>with developmental disorders presenting various characteristics share and solve</p><p>their difficulties. This paper examines how users mutually guarantee “trust” and</p><p>reduce social uncertainty in communities of persons with developmental disorders.</p><p>　The findings of this paper are as follows. First, the diagnosis of “developmental</p><p>disorder” by itself has no significant meaning in confirming membership in a</p><p>community of people with developmental disorders. Second, being a person</p><p>with a developmental disorder is a condition for professionals to be trusted as</p><p>supporters. Third, based on the trust that they are experiencing similar difficulties,</p><p>ritualistic acts are exempted in the community. Fourth, the members of the</p><p>community confirm their own physical condition by referring to the physical</p><p>conditions of other members. Fifth, the exemption of ritualistic acts leads to the</p><p>nullification of interpersonal risks.</p>