Evaluating for Abuse in a Child with a Disability


Potential Reasons for Increased Risk of Abuse in Children With Disabilities

  • May place higher emotional, economic, physical and social demands on their families.*
  • Lack of respite or breaks on childcare responsibilities for caregivers.**
  • Needs could be so great that it leads to neglect***
  • Children may have difficult behaviors ***

REFERENCES:

  • * Peer & Hillman 2014
  • ** Murphy 2011
  • *** Goudie et al 2014

CHAMP Education for Child Abuse Medical Providers

Accessible Version

Why are children with disabilities more at risk for child abuse and neglect? Certainly, having a child with a disability may place higher emotional, economic ,physical and social demands on families The caregiver may not get respite breaks for childcare responsibilities The child’s needs could be so great that it leads to neglect Children with disabilities may have difficult behaviors which may lead to abuse.