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Scenario 2

Child With A Learning Disability

Mr and Mrs Amir Baksh have lived in the borough since 1987. Mr Baksh is 38 years old and came to England aged 10 years with his parents from the Punjab, Pakistan. Mr Baksh was educated in England and works in local government for the neighbouring borough. His parents live in the Midlands as do his sister, brother and their families. Mr Baksh and his family as Muslims and practice their faith.

Mrs Fatima Baksh, aged 34 years of age, grew up and was educated in Pakistan. She came to England after her marriage to Amir. Mr and Mrs Baksh lived with his parents in the early days of their married life. The family moved to London 8 years ago when Mr Baksh obtained a job as a housing allocation officer in local government.

Mrs Baksh had a ‘difficult’ pregnancy with Amina, their second child. She regularly reported feeling tired, had little rest, and did not eat very well. At the time Mr Baksh was studying part-time, attending evening classes twice a week at the local college and helping with the family business. The family members were all supportive.

Amina is now 8 years old. She was diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. She is physically able to help herself with her personal hygiene needs and dressing. However, she needs assistance with feeding and elimination. She can communicate with a few spoken words and gestures. Her mother cares for Amina at home. Amina attends the day centre. Sometimes her father takes her to the centre but generally it is her mother who takes her there and spends part of the day with her.

Mr and Mrs Baksh have a son, Faisal who is 12 years old and has started secondary school. He is outgoing, and has a network of friends from different cultural backgrounds. He is well liked at school. He plays football and cricket, and spends some of his leisure time playing computer games.

Since moving to London, Mrs Baksh has missed the everyday support of her extended family, in particular her mother-in-law. Soon after the birth of Faisal, she found it extremely difficult to cope with her daughter. She blamed herself for not being able to cope. She believes that she is depressed but is not willing to talk to anyone about how she feels not even her husband.

One morning, as usual Mrs Baksh brings Amina to the day centre. On this particular occasion she could not stay long with her daughter as she had an appointment with her General Practitioner, and did not want to be late. Soon after Mrs Baksh left, Amina has a series of epileptic seizures from which she recovers. However, she is incontinent and her clothing is wet and soiled. Amina is disoriented, agitated and lashing out. She is calling for her mother and shouting.

When Mrs Baksh returns to the centre two hours later she is distressed and wants to know what happened and why no one had contacted her on her mobile phone to inform her of Amina’s fitting episode.

The main issues that the scenario addresses are:

These issues will be explored through the following statements/questions:

The following learning activities will provide students or tutor opportunities to engage with the statements/questions:

The following resources will support those learning activities:

Ahmad, W. I. U. and Atkin, K. (eds) (1996) ‘Race’ and community care. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Atkin, K. and Rolling, J. (1992) Community care in a multi-racial Britain: a critical review of the literature. London: HMSO.

Barnes, C. and Mercer, G. (1996) Exploring the divide. Illness and disability. Leeds: The Disability Press.

Council for Disabled Children. (1995) Help starts here: a guide for parents of children with special needs. 3rd ed. London: National Children’s Bureau.

Gates, B. & Baecock, C. (1997) Dimensions of learning disability. London: Bailliere Tindall.

Gummit, R. J. (1995) The epilepsy handbook: the practical management of seizures. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press

Holland, K. and Hogg, C. (2001) Cultural Awareness in Nursing and Health Care. An Introductory Text. London: Arnold.

Hopkins, A. and Appleton, R. (1998) Epilepsy: the facts. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lamb, B. and Layzell, S. (1994) Disabled in Britain. Behind closed doors: the carer’s experience. London: Scope

Shah, R. (1995) The silent minority. Children with disabilities in Asian families. London: National Children’s Bureau.

Sheikh, A. and Gatrad, A. R. (eds.) (2000) Caring for Muslim patients. Abingdon, Oxon: Radcliffe Medical Press.

Emerson, E., Azmi, S., Hatton, C., Caine, A., Parrott, R. and Wolstenholme, J. (1997) Is there an increased prevalence of severe learning disabilities among British Asians? Ethnicity & Health, 2 (4), 317-321.

Tizard Learning Disability Review  (1999) Special issue on Race, Ethnicity and Learning Disability. Volume 4, Issue 4.

Mir, G., Nocon, A. and Ahmad, W. with Jones, L. (2001) Learning Difficulties and Ethnicity. London: Department of Health.

Steele, B. and Sergison, M. (2001) Improving the quality of life of Ethnic Minority Children with Learning Disabilities. Huddersfield: Huddersfield NHS Trust.

Davis, H. & Russell, R. (1989) Physical and mental handicap in the Asian community: can my child be helped? London: National Children’s Bureau.

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