Enfants à protéger, des parents à aider : deux univers à rapprocher

Chapitre 5_Exploring meaningful supports for parents with intellectual disabilities

C H A P I T R E 5 EXPLORING MEANINGFUL SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES1 Lise Beauchesne, Ph. D. School of Social Work, University of Brititish Columbia Okanagan Shannon Guiboche, MSW (in progress) School of Social Work Memorial University of Newfoundland 1. The authors would like to acknowledge the extensive input of the researchers, Anita Smalley and Kelly Nunn of Langley Family Services . Acknowledgement of research funding is extended to Fraser Children and Family Development Fund. Les auteurs reconnaissent le travail de recherche entrepris par Anita Smalley et Kelly Nun du Langley Family Service. Nous remercions le Fraser Children and Family Development Fund de l’appui financier accordé à cette recherche. 90 DES ENFANTS À PROTÉGER – DES PARENTS À AIDER ABSTRACT This qualitative research project involves mothers with intellectual disabilities, receiving service in British Columbia (BC), who had multiple opportunities for identifying strategies and interventions that were truly supportive to them in their efforts to parent their children in a safe and healthy way. The focus of the interventions offered by their family counselors , who were also front line researchers, was on building social networks and improving parental competence. Parents with intellectual disabilities, especially those living with FASD, may present as having capabilities without actually having the cognitive or behavioral skills necessary to undertake the tasks expected of them (Dubenski, 1997). This population faces significant barriers when parenting, and access to appropriate services can be limited by prejudice and discrimination as well as due to the scarcity of appropriate programs. There is a need to actively address how the social services system in BC understands and responds to these families’ needs. This 6-month study presents lessons learned from the experiences of mothers with intellectual disabilities who were involved with professional helpers . Some of these experiences were helpful. Other experiences indicated a need for change in practice to ensure continuity, appropriateness and consistency of services to parents with intellectual disabilities. RÉSUMÉ Ce projet de recherche qualitative porte sur des mères ayant une déficience intellectuelle recevant des services en Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.) qui se sont vues offrir à maintes occasions des stratégies et des interventions les aidant véritablement dans leurs efforts pour élever leurs enfants de façon saine et sécuritaire. L’objectif de l’intervention offerte par les conseillers familiaux, qui étaient également des chercheurs de première ligne, était de créer des réseaux sociaux et d’améliorer les compétences parentales. Les parents ayant des déficiences intellectuelles, particulièrement ceux atteints du syndrome d’alcoolisation fœtale (SAF), peuvent sembler détenir certaines compétences, sans vraiment avoir les habiletés cognitives et comportementales nécessaires pour assumer pleinement leur rôle parental (Dubenski, 1997). Pour ce qui est d’élever ses enfants, cette population doit affronter des obstacles considérables, et l’accès aux services appropriés peut être limité en raison de préjugés et de discrimination, de même que par une pénurie de programmes appropriés. Il est nécessaire de considérer activement la façon dont le système de services sociaux de la C.-B. comprend et répond aux besoins de ces familles. Cette recherche d’une durée de six mois présente les leçons tirées des expériences des mères atteintes de déficiences intellectuelles ayant travaillé avec des aidants professionnels. EXPLORING MEANINGFUL SUPPORTS FOR PARENTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES 91 Quelques-unes de ces expériences ont été utiles. D’autres ont démontré le besoin de modifier les pratiques de façon à assurer la continuité, la pertinence et la cohérence dans les services offerts aux parents atteints de handicaps intellectuels. 1. OVERALL PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT The priority of the Ministry of Children and Family Development in B.C. has been articulated as working to keep families together (CFCS Act, 2002). In view of this emphasis, a need has been demonstrated for a different service delivery model for families involving a parent with an intellectual disability. The present service delivery model does not accurately address the families’ difficulties with processing information and relating to the world around them. Current service delivery appears to be based on the belief that the parent with intellectual disabilities is cognitively aware and comprehending of conditions and circumstances, and is able to make changes based on his/her statements...