Children with Disabilities

6.3. Disability Rights Commission

Negative attitudes and assumptions can lead to institutional discrimination. An investigation by the Disability Rights Commission revealed ‘an inadequate response from the health service to the major physical health inequalities experienced by some of the most socially excluded citizens: those with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems.’ This included disabled children and young people. Their investigation found children and young people in particular experienced ‘diagnostic overshadowing’ – that is reports of physical ill health being viewed as part of the mental health problem or learning disability – and so not investigated or treated. (Gov.uk, July 2009)