Robyn Powell et. al. on "Experiences with and perceptions of the child welfare system during the perinatal period of mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities"

Melissa M. Ptacek, Lauren D. Smith, Robyn M. Powell, and Monika Mitra have published "Experiences with and perceptions of the child welfare system during the perinatal period of mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities" in Volume 18 of the Journal of Public Child Welfare. The abstract states: 

This qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of 16 mothers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) regarding their interactions with the child welfare system during the perinatal period. Adverse themes included fear of child removal, wariness of the healthcare system, insufficient assistance, and trauma and stress. Positive themes included support from others and believing in one’s self. Findings underscore the need for disability cultural competence, non-discrimination, family preservation, enhanced support, self-advocacy, and family-centered care across perinatal and child welfare systems to improve equity for mothers with IDD and their children. Further research is warranted.

The article concludes: 

Urgent reforms are critically needed to prevent unnecessary child welfare involvement and enhance experiences for parents with IDD, especially mothers in the perinatal period. This study evidences how discriminatory treatment by child welfare and healthcare professionals, rooted in ableist bias rather than substantiated concerns, contributes to overrepresentation and unwarranted family disruption. Comprehensive disability-competence training, developed collaboratively with the disability community, is crucial across both systems to combat prejudice, enhance understanding of disabled parents’ needs, and prioritize family-preserving supports over punitive surveillance and separation. Healthcare providers must adopt nondiscriminatory practices as mandated reporters whose biased perspectives significantly impact families. Ultimately, equitable policies and practices guided by disabled parents themselves are imperative to strengthen rather than undermine these families.