Practices Changes in the Child Protection System to Address the Needs of Parents With Cognitive Disabilities

Abstract

Parents with cognitive disabilities (PCD) are over-represented in the child protection system. However, the current state of the child protection system is not well prepared for working with them. Biases that exist against their parenting, the need for accommodations in assessment and intervention practices, and specific training in staff and cross systems barriers need to be addressed. This paper argues for changes that will ensure such parents are more effectively served and that child protection staff and contract providers are better equipped to work with them. Specific changes are discussed in assessment and intervention practices. These changes will require human capacity building and organizational restructuring. Although empirically based behavioral approaches with PCD will be emphasized, recent empirical work suggests that social information processing and neurocognitive problems occur in PCD. Approaches to working with such problems are emerging and must also be considered and integrated into a blueprint for change.

Experiences of the maternal role and support in mothers with cognitive limitations who have children in placement

“…Using silence, not revealing full cognitive skills, can be seen as a strategy to counter power in the unfair power balance. In addition, the results of this study support the thesis that the service offered is not adapted to personal cognitive limitations, as described by Azar et al ().…”

“…A study‐specific interview guide was developed by three authors (the first, second, and fourth). The questions in this guide were rigorously adapted to suit persons with cognitive limitations (Azar et al, ). Initially, demographic questions—about age, gender, living conditions, number of children at home or in placement, level of education, employment, and type of disability—were posed.…”

“…Most of the research in this area comes from Anglo‐Saxon countries and applies to persons with IDs. According to some research, almost 25% of all child care proceedings may involve parents with IDs (Azar, Maggi, & Proctor, ; Booth & Booth, ; Tøssebro, Midjo, Paulsen, & Berg, ). For this category of parents, there are indications of discrimination in child care proceedings and in courts (Booth, Mcconnell, & Booth, ), in Sweden as elsewhere (Alexius & Hollander, ).…”

Child protection services and parents with intellectual and developmental disabilities

“…While identification of disability may introduce additional bias into the system, it is necessary for parents in the USA to be covered under Title II of the ADA and therefore, receive appropriate accommodations, modifications and supports. Research has also documented that before accommodations or modified CPS services can be offered, all parents, including those with IDD, need appropriate parenting assessments (normed on parents with IDD) and professionals specially trained in how to administer such assessments (Azar, Robinson, & Proctor, ; Azar et al., ; Budd, Poindexter, Felix, & Naik‐Polan, ; Feldman & Aunos, ; National Council on Disability, ). It has been well‐documented that these types of resources are not widely available (Azar, ; Azar et al., ).…”

“…However, CPS is not well‐prepared to work successfully with parents with disabilities (Kay, ; Lightfoot, Hill, & LaLiberte, ; Swain & Cameron, ), and more specifically, parents with IDD as evidenced by research from the USA, UK, Canada and Australia (Azar, Maggi, & Proctor, ; Booth, ; Booth & Booth, ; Hayman, ; James, ; McConnell & Llewellyn, , ; McGaha, ; Scheepers et al., ; Swain & Cameron, ; Tymchuk, Lakin, & Luckasson, ). Lack of preparation may be a result of (i) the presence of policies that encourage CPS professionals to consider a disability label (rather than specific behaviours) in their decision‐making processes (Lightfoot & LaLiberte, ; Lightfoot et al., ; National Council on Disability, ); (ii) the absence of policies that provide guidance to CPS professionals on how to effectively assess and deliver child welfare services to parents with disabilities (National Council on Disability, ); and (iii) limited funding to develop interventions and services designed to meet the unique needs of parents with disabilities (LaLiberte & Lightfoot, ).…”