News Release, 22 May 2006
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is welcoming new guidelines to advise health professionals on how best to support parents of babies with Down's syndrome.
The guidelines have been produced by the Down’s Syndrome Association after a survey found that more than a third of parents who were told their baby had Down's syndrome felt they were not given adequate information or support after the diagnosis.
Alison Giraud-Saunders, Co-Director of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities said:
“This study bears out our understanding of the experiences of many women. Parents of children with a learning disability have not been receiving the right help and support for a long time. We know that from the time a diagnosis is made, many parents are left in the dark, are given unbalanced information and it can be a postcode lottery whether they will receive the support to address their needs and those of their child.
“However, we found that healthcare professionals, especially midwives, often do not feel that they are well enough informed to support families. We need to ensure that all professionals have the necessary knowledge and information available to enable them to support parents of children with learning disabilities. The Foundation is planning to work with women and staff such as midwives to look at current approaches and identify ways to best support parents so that they can make informed decisions once that diagnosis has been made.”
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Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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