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‘Normal people can have a child but disability can't’: the experiences of mothers with mild learning disabilities who have had their children removed
- Authors:
- GOULD Sheila, DODD Karen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42(1), 2014, pp.25-35.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
There is a recognised risk of parents with learning disabilities having their children removed. Little research has investigated the impact of this on these parents. This article looks at the perceptions of nine mothers with mild learning disabilities and their experiences having had their children removed. Interview data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings reveal the struggles mothers with learning disabilities faced being ‘suitable mother’ – including presumed incompetence and scrutiny of parenting. Participants' responses to having had their children removed are looked at and support reviewed. Finally issues of power were highlighted throughout Participants' accounts and the impact of this is discussed. Clinical implications indicate areas for service improvement. (Edited publisher abstract)