Leisure time and recretional activities for people with intellectual disabilities: literature review of its nature, barriers, strategies and effects

Abstract: Background and Aim: In the contemporary world, investigation about how to spend leisure time and participating in recreational activities along with the researches concerning work and its effects has been paid attention to by many authors. The aim of the present paper is to investigate the quality of leisure time and the role of recreational activities in the life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities using literature review.   Conclusion: How to spend leisure time and recreational activities for normal people, with the aim of enhancing the workers' efficiency and diminishing the problems which stem from working, are of great importance in different societies. Leisure time and recreational activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are to enhance these people participation in society and empowering. In our country Iran, the numerous opportunities of recreational activities and desirable spending of leisure time for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been neglected ; while, the conclusions of this literature review indicate that, despite the presence of some barriers, participating in recreational activities will improve self-determination, independence, social skills, life satisfaction, well- being and ultimately the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.