Aboriginal Kinship Carers and Carers of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Western Australia: Advancing Knowledge from an Indigenous and Disability Lens

Résumé

Children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have limited access to assessment, diagnostic, and treatment resources – a distinct disadvantage in meeting their care needs in Australia. Limited knowledge exists on the intersection of FASD, Indigeneity, racism, trauma, and child welfare involvement. Notably, the lack of support for children with FASD increases the risk of adverse outcomes, including incarceration, homelessness, mental health problems, and early mortality. Children with FASD are often cared for in the child protection system by kinship carers, many without a diagnosis or the benefits of FASD informed care. Rarely considered is the Australian response to FASD or the Aboriginal worldview on disability. Qualitative research was utilized to conduct semi-structured interviews with six carers of Indigenous children with FASD–three foster carers and three relative or kinship carers. Seven core themes identified by carers included: FASD awareness, caregiver health, advocacy for the child, mothers of the children with FASD, loss and grief experienced by the carer, social costs, and children in child protection care. Carers identified that limited resources existed to address the disabilities and care needs of children, including training and respite. Financial disparity exists with relative carers receiving less income than foster carers. Carers demonstrated advocacy, resiliency, and resourcefulness in providing care. A lack of knowledge of FASD and core resources in child welfare services were identified as major challenges in providing care. This research examined the caregiving experiences of foster and Aboriginal kinship carers, caring for children with FASD in child protection.

Bibliographies de l'auteur-e

Robyn Williams, Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University

Robyn Williams, PhD, is a Noongar woman from Western Australia and a senior research fellow at Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University in Perth. Robyn has a research agenda focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its impact on children, youth, families, and caregivers and has been engaged with many Aboriginal research projects in Washington State including the WA Next Generation and Million Minds projects, playing a key role in community-engaged research. Robyn has worked in an advocacy role supporting families caring for children with FASD and delivered training in many communities. She is a co-author of the book Decolonising Justice for Aboriginal Youth with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (2020). Robyn completed her PhD on FASD in the southwest region of Western Australia. Her professional roles have included working at various health agencies, among them Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Service, Edith Cowan University, and the Office of Aboriginal Health (WA). Robyn remains committed to two-way learning and capacity building in the Aboriginal community, including Aboriginal-led solutions.

Dorothy E. Badry, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary

Dorothy Badry is a professor in the Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. She was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at Curtin Medical School in the Faculty of Health Sciences by Dr. Sandra Eades in 2021. She is the child welfare research lead for the Canada FASD Research Network and has been working closely with Dr. Williams since 2014 on FASD initiatives in Australia and Canada. She is a co-author on the 2020 book Decolonising Justice for Aboriginal youth with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Routledge. Australia.

Publié-e
2023-02-28
Comment citer
Williams, R., & Badry, D. E. (2023). Aboriginal Kinship Carers and Carers of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Western Australia: Advancing Knowledge from an Indigenous and Disability Lens. Revue Des Enfants Et Des Familles Des Premiers Peuples, 18(1), 60-80. Consulté à l’adresse https://fpcfr.com/index.php/FPCFR/article/view/603
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