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BackgroundResearchers acknowledge the importance of understanding how families of children with autism cope. Yet, little is known about the experiences of older parents of adults with autism.Materials and MethodsIn‐depth interviews were conducted with 16 older parents of adults with autism. Narrative analysis was used to gain insights into their lived experiences.ResultsParticipants' narratives reflected the notion that much of their experience was a delicate balancing act as they attempted to manage their offspring's symptoms of autism whilst achieving a degree of fulfilment in their own lives. Parents did not believe that formal services had adequately supported their ability to provide care whilst meeting other needs within the family context.ConclusionsThe findings have implications for services that attempt to support older parents' abilities to provide care, including the need for tailored intervention strategies that match each family's unique needs.

AbstractEmployment is a fundamental part of adult life. Adults with intellectual disability (ID) face multiple barriers to employment, however, and are underrepresented in the paid workforce. Formal volunteering has been promoted as both a stepping stone and an alternative to employment for some adults with disability. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of research findings relating to volunteering and employment for work‐age adults with ID. Few studies have examined the experiences of adults with ID who volunteer. The findings indicate that volunteering alone is unlikely to lead to employment for adults with ID. However, some adults with ID view volunteering as a meaningful and desirable alternative to paid work. There is a need for further research to examine the relationship between volunteering and employment for adults with ID. In addition, there is a need for practice guidelines to ensure that the outcomes for adults with ID who volunteer, and those who seek paid employment, are successful.