NCJ Number
117601
Date Published
1987
Length
311 pages
Annotation
These 12 papers examine the causes and nature of maltreatment of handicapped children and suggest preventive measures and legal and therapeutic interventions as well as an interdisciplinary community-based approach to prevention and intervention.
Abstract
Individual papers focus on the history of child abuse, the special factors making some handicapped children at greater risk of maltreatment, and the need for supports for families of handicapped children. Other papers focus on the role of siblings and peers in the handicapped child's development and well-being, the role of educators, the role of residential institutions, and Federal laws and programs. Further papers examine therapeutic issues, medical issues, the special legal problems involved in the protection of handicapped children from parental abuse, issues facing the criminal justice system in its efforts to address the problem, and issues related to the mass media. A final paper recommends a communitywide effort involving networking and creative planning among community agencies to address the problem of maltreated handicapped children and to reduce its incidence. Subject index, author index, and lists of references and resource materials.