.png){kind=small}
This guide explains what to do if your client is deciding whether to have a baby. It focuses on supported decision-making, which is when you give clients the help they need to make their own choices.
You can download a PDF copy of the guide here.
People with disabilities have the right to make free and informed choices about:
You can learn more via the Neve factsheet on sexual and reproductive health rights (internal link).
For more information about helping clients choose, see the Neve guide to Supported decision-making (internal link).
This guide covers:
In the past, some people with disabilities have not been allowed to make choices about having sex or getting pregnant. They may have been:
Often, these unfair practices come from myths and wrong ideas. Below, we challenge common myths about disability, sex and parenthood with facts.
MYTH: It's illegal or unsafe for people with disabilities to have sex.
FACT: In Australia, there are laws to protect people with disabilities from being taken advantage of sexually. Sometimes, these laws are misunderstood to mean that it's illegal for people with disabilities to have sex.
For example, some people think that people with cognitive disabilities cannot legally have sex. It's not true. People can consent to sex that they understand.
Wrong ideas about the law can make families and support groups feel they shouldn't support people with disabilities who want to have sex. Even though understanding and agreeing to sex might be harder for someone with a disability, they still have the right to choose to have sex with other people who consent, just like anyone else.
MYTH: People with disabilities won't be good parents.
FACT: Many people with disabilities can be great partners and parents. They can have strong relationships and take care of a child. They might need extra help like other groups in our community, such as young parents or those dealing with mental health issues.
Parents with disabilities may face challenges with:
Friends, family, and community services can support parents with disabilities to help their children grow and develop. Families with disabilities can thrive.
MYTH: It is okay to sterilise people without their consent.
FACT: Sterilisation is a medical procedure that prevents pregnancy. For women and other people with ovaries, the procedure is permanent.
Sadly, in Australia, people with disability have been sterilised without consent. It is only legal in special circumstances. The law says that before someone can be sterilised without agreeing to it, a court or a special group needs to say it's okay. This is unless the person must be sterilised for medical reasons, as a last option.
If an adult with a disability can decide, they can choose to be sterilised. Or, they can choose to remain fertile. If they can't make this decision, it has to be decided by a special group.
Groups like Women With Disabilities Australia campaign to reduce forced sterilisations for people with disability.
If needed, share these facts with your client and their supporters.
It's a good idea to talk about the pros and cons of having children with your client to help them make the right decision. Some examples include:
The South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability has some great resources, including a supported decision-making handbook. You can access it here (external link). You could use it with your client to help them strengthen their decision-making skills when considering having children.
Talk with your client about the specific types of care children need. It can help them make an informed decision about parenthood.
The Raising Children website is an excellent place to find information. You can access it here (external link). It explains what children need by age, from newborns to teenagers. Some of the information is available in accessible formats, like Easy Read. There is also a section with information about kids with disabilities.
You could talk through this information with your client. Encourage them to think about:
Potential sources of help include family members and friends, NDIS-funded services, and assistive devices. If your client can't manage everything themselves, can they find reliable help?
Remember that the family or supporters of someone with a disability may not believe that starting a family is a good choice for your client. This can make it hard for them to get the help they need for themselves and their child.
If the supporters have doubts, you could help your client explain how they will cope with the demands of parenting. Or you could help your client look for other sources of support.
Some people with disabilities who are pregnant or thinking about having a baby might want to use genetic services. These services include things like diagnosis, screening, counselling, and information about health conditions. Access to these services can help them make the right choices for themselves and their children.
In all states in Australia, it is legal to choose to end a pregnancy. The process is commonly called a termination or abortion. Everyone has the right to get support and counselling about abortion-related issues.
When deciding whether to have a baby or not, make sure your client knows they can have an abortion if they are already pregnant.
To make an informed decision about abortion, your client will need medical advice. A GP or sexual health clinic can help. They will need to confirm the pregnancy first. Then, they can discuss options with your client and give personal medical advice.
In Australia, abortion is legal and accessible, but rules and options vary around the country. A health worker can provide information about the different abortion options available to your client. It might include:
If your client feels uncertain or upset, counselling or other support services can help. They can explore their feelings and make an informed decision. Many clinics and organisations offer counselling services for people considering abortion.
You may also want to consider how to care for your client during and after the procedure, both physically and mentally. However, remember that decisions about abortion may or may not be difficult for your client. Be careful not to assume.
People with a disability face the same challenges as others when it comes to fertility and getting pregnant. However, your client may also face extra barriers.
Medical information from a specialist should be clear and easy to understand. This allows your client to provide fully informed consent to any procedure.
Some clients may choose to have a support person with them when they get information about fertility. The support person could:
Some people with disabilities may need more time to make an informed decision. Suggest that they don't make decisions right away. Health care should always focus on your client’s quality of life and rights.
Some people with disabilities are unable to work. They rely on money from the government, which may not be enough to pay for fertility treatment. You can support your client by searching for financial help or assisted programs in your area.
Some states in Australia have public fertility care services. To use these services, your client may need a certificate from a GP. Let your client know that the waitlist is likely to belong. Help them get regular updates from the service so they don't feel forgotten or unimportant.
Be honest with your client about fertility challenges. Let them know that it may take years, cost a lot of money, and still not result in a baby.
Firstly, be kind to yourself if you have experienced loss or grief in this area. If you feel uncomfortable talking to your client about these issues, you could ask their GP to do it.
There are many reasons why your client may be unable to have children. It could be:
Create a plan with your client for what they can do to help them cope with not being able to have a baby. Accurate expectations give people a head start on managing their feelings. Still, be aware that your client might not fully understand the difficulty of getting pregnant or having a successful birth.
If your client is ready to process their thoughts and feelings, you may be able to:
Use these ideas with care. Something that brings comfort to one person could upset another. Pay attention to how your client reacts and respond accordingly.
%20Medium.jpeg)
May 13, 2024
|
Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
A guide for women with disability experiencing family and domestic violence.
Check resource.jpeg)
May 13, 2024
|
Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
A guide for women with disability and mothers of children with disability who have experience of family and domestic violence.
Check resource
May 7, 2024
|
Disability Advocacy Network Australia
Tools and information to help you find advocacy services in your state or territory.
Check resource
May 7, 2024
|
Touching Base
Resources and information for people with disability about seeing a sex worker.
Check resource.png)
