U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Child Abuse and Developmental Disabilities: A Search for Causes, Relationships, and Solutions

NCJ Number
125333
Author(s)
M West; J Leconte; K Cahn
Date Published
1988
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This analysis of child abuse and neglect among children who have disabilities reviews research findings and clinical perspectives, examines approaches to successful interventions, and outlines ways to improve child welfare services to children with developmental disabilities who have been abused or neglected or are at risk.
Abstract
Child abuse or neglect can lead to developmental delay, physical and mental disability, and emotional disturbances. In addition, the incidence of abuse among children with disabilities is estimated at 9 percent to 40 percent. Preventive approaches include early identification and assessment, promotion of bonding between parents and children, parent training regarding child management, counseling for parents of children with disabilities, provision of social support systems for parents of children with disabilities, respite care and homemaking services, and long-term support services. In addition, the training of child protective services should include information on developmental disabilities. Additional recommendations for research and clinical practice and list of 26 references.