Living apart (or) together—neighbours’ views and experiences on their relationships with neighbours with and without intellectual disabilities

Background: Neighbours play an important role in the social inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. Neighbouring in general might help understand the social interactions between neighbours with and without intellectual disabilities. Our study focuses on gaining insight into neighbouring patterns and how people with intellectual disabilities fit in them. Method: 26 interviews were conducted with 29 neighbours of people with intellectual disabilities on their norms and behaviours towards neighbours with and without disabilities. Results: Four patterns were identified: feeling an outsider, fleeting contacts, individualized neighbourliness and sense of community. Discussion: Participants perceived neighbours with intellectual disabilities as different: they are difficult to approach and show inappropriate behaviour. The groups shared most general perceptions, but there were differences. The first two groups mostly had fleeting encounters, whereas the last groups seemed more open to communal activities and assisting neighbours. In enhancing social inclusion, staff should be aware of these neighbouring patterns.