The author describes a developmental perspective on child abuse and neglect treatment that emphasizes quantitative and qualitative changes in individuals over time. The developmental perspective stresses that the developing child simultaneously becomes increasingly differentiated and integrated, moving toward states of greater complexity and organization as his or her life unfolds. Although the developmental perspective focuses on the individual, it also recognizes the child's development is multi-determined, ranging from genetic and constitutional influences via physical and psychological factors to influences emanating from the family, neighborhood, and cultural spheres of life. In the context of the developmental perspective, the author outlines the aims of child abuse and neglect treatment and sequences and phases in the treatment process. The emphasis is on working with children and their families using a multidisciplinary approach. 19 references and 1 table