NCJ Number
156952
Journal
Topics in Language Disorders Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (August 1993) Pages: complete issue
Editor(s)
K G Butler
Date Published
1993
Length
88 pages
Annotation
Communicatively disordered children and child abuse are explored.
Abstract
This issue contains articles designed to sensitize professionals in the field of communication disorders, e.g., speech pathologists, audiologists, and special educators, to issues about child abuse and the course of social and communicative challenges facing the abused child. The articles underscore the vulnerability of communicatively disordered children as targets of abuse. In addition, their disorder further jeopardizes them as they try to seek recovery, making it more difficult for them to communicate and disclose their abuse. Conversely, their abuse may further limit their communicative development. Contributions to this issue from prominent researchers in psychology, social services, and speech and language pathology trace the communicative aspects of abuse in children from its initial disclosure to a trusted adult to the child's final testimony in court. The articles include guidelines on how to respond to the child making a disclosure and how to report the disclosure, descriptions of hallmark interactive and communicative behaviors reported to be characteristic of abused children, and problems presented by children testifying in the courtroom. Each article is followed by a reference list. Also included are a review of Phonological Disorders in Children, instructions for earning continuing education credits from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, continuing education questions, and a continuing education course evaluation.