Abstract
Since the law of support and service for people with certain disabilities (LSS) was implemented 1994, the carers' role has changed from «taking care of» to «giving support to» people with intellectual disabilities/autism, but the requirements of knowledge hasn't been altered. In order to provide appropriate support, carers need both theoretical knowledge and experience of how people with intellectual disabilities understand their surrounding environment.
The purpose was to describe the knowledge and development of competence needed in caring for adults with intellectual disabilities/autism as viewed from a carer's perspective. Ten carers at different group dwellings in Sweden were interviewed. A qualitative content analysis was performed.
The result demonstrated two main categories: The carer's competence described personal qualities, theoretical knowledge, experience, communication abilities as well as co-working and problem solving abilities.
Possibilities of development of competence described interest and commitment, support and acknowledgement as well as organization and resources.
In conclusion, the carers' competence of creating a good life and a confident relationship between themselves and adults with intellectual disabilities/autism can be described as multifaceted with elements of tacit knowledge. To develop the individual competence, a personal interest, support and time for reflection is needed but not always offered.