Evaluating for Abuse in a Child with a Disability


Children With Disabilities Are at Increased Risk of Child Maltreatment

  • 558,899 children were abused or neglected in 2022.*
  • Children with Disabilities accounted for 14% of all victims of abuse and neglect.**
  • NSCAW: In kids <3 years, half were not typically developing.***
  • Rate of abuse is at least 3x higher in children with disabilities compared with typically developing children.****

REFERENCES:

  • * U.S. Department of Health & Human Services et al 2024
  • ** Child Welfare Information Gateway 2018
  • *** Helton et al 2019
  • **** Jones et al 2012

CHAMP Education for Child Abuse Medical Providers

Accessible Version

You are wondering if children with disabilities are at greater risk for child abuse. A total of 558,899 children were abused or neglected in 2022 and Children with Disabilities accounted for 14% of all victims of child abuse and neglect. In the National Survey of Child and Adolescent well being, which is a study of children older than 3 years who have had a child abuse and neglect investigation, half were not typically developing. The rate of abuse was shown to be at least 3x higher in children with disabilities compared with typically developing children.