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Intervention-Prevention Approaches for Assaulted Children and Their Families (From Assault Against Children, P 141-181, 1985, John H Meier, ed. - See NCJ-98549)

NCJ Number
98554
Author(s)
J H Meier
Date Published
1985
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews newer and less well-known modalities for providing interdisciplinary intervention services to victims and perpetrators of child abuse, as well as innovative ways that the traditional disciplines of medicine and social work can help these clients.
Abstract
Suggestions on putting theory into practice emphasize fitting the intervention-prevention approach to the underlying causes and consequences of the abuse and constantly monitoring clients' response to intervention methods. To reflect the interdisciplinary parity principle whereby each discipline has equal status on the team, the paper presents the disciplines and modalities in alphabetical order. The areas covered are; art therapy, audiology, dance therapy, educational therapy, family therapy, legal involvement, milieu therapy, laughter therapy, music therapy, neurology, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, opthalmology, paraprofessional aides, pediatrics, pet therapy, physical therapy, psychiatry, psychology, radiology, recreational therapy, self-help groups, social work, speech therapy, and spiritual-holistic therapies. The individual discussions define the modality or the focus of the discipline, explain its theories and practices as they relate to child abuse, and provide examples and references. A conclusion discusses communication problems often found in the interdisciplinary approach as well as the complexity and difficulties that characterize all child abuse cases. Drawings by assaulted children in therapy at The Village of CHILDHELP, U.S.A. with interpretative comments are appended.