Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Abuse and Neglect

  • Chapter
Book cover Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan

Abstract

This chapter reviews abuse and neglect among children and adults with disabilities, and highlights the importance of identifying abuse and neglect in these individuals because of their increased vulnerability, difficulties in communication, and potential for ongoing victimization. Patterns of presentation of victimization are discussed and suggestions are given to aid in their recognition among several challenged populations. Developmental considerations in the evaluation of abuse are reviewed, as well as interviewing children with developmental disabilities and supporting parents with developmental disabilities. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and abuse are also discussed, including issues with parenting and intervening with adults who have a disability. We conclude with recommendations to improve practice among adults and children with disabilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 389.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Kempe CH, Silverman FN, Steele BF, Droegemueller W, Silver HK. The battered-child syndrome. JAMA. 1962;181:17–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. World Health Organization. Report of the Consultation on Child Abuse Prevention. Geneva, Switzerland: WHO Press. Document WHO/HSC/PVI/99.1, March, 1999. URL: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/1999/WHO_HSC_PVI_99.1.pdf

  3. Straus MA, Gelles R, Steinmetz S. Behind closed doors: violence in the American family. Garden City: Anchor Press; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Brownridge DA. Violence against women: vulnerable populations. Florence: Routledge; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bur Justice Stat. Crime characteristics. 2005. URL: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/cvict_c.html

  6. Dobash RP, Dobash RE, Cavanagh K, Lewis R. Changing violent men. Thousand Oaks: Sage; 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Hassouneh-Phillips D, Curry MA. Abuse of women with disabilities: state of the science. Rehab Couns Bull. 2002;45(2):96–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Powers LE, Hughes RB, Lund EM. Interpersonal violence and women with disabilities: a research update. Harrisburg: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence/Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence; 2009. URL: http://vawnet.org

  9. Martin SL, Ray N, Sotres-Alvarez D, Kupper LL, Moracco KE, Dickens PA, Scandlin D, Gizlice Z. Physical and sexual assault of women with disabilities. Violence Against Women. 2006;12(9):823–37.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Brownridge DA. Partner violence against women with disabilities: prevalence, risk and explanations. Violence Against Women. 2006;12(9):805–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Curry MA, Hassouneh-Phillips D, Johnston-Silverberg A. Abuse of women with disabilities: an ecological model and review. Violence Against Women. 2001;7(1):60–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. International Network of Women with Disabilities. Document on violence against women with disabilities. 2010. URL: http://inwwd.wordpress.com/publications-of-the-inwwd/

  13. Sedlak AJ, Mettenburg J, Basena M, Petta I, McPherson K, Greene A, Li S. Fourth national incidence study of child abuse and neglect (NIS–4): report to congress, executive summary. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Spencer N, Devereux E, Wallace A, Sundrum R, Shenoy M, Bacchus C, Logan S. Disabling conditions and registration for child abuse and neglect: a population-based study. Pediatrics. 2005;116:609–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Turner HA, Vanderminden J, Finkelhor D, Hamby S, Shattuck A. Disability and victimization in a national sample of children and youth. Child Maltreat. 2001;16:275–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children Youth and Families. Child maltreatment 2005–2011. Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 2007–2012.

    Google Scholar 

  17. National Council on Disability. Rocking the cradle: ensuring the rights of parents with disabilities and their children. Washington, DC: NCD; 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  18. McGaw S, Scully T, Pritchard C. Predicting the unpredictable? Identifying high-risk versus low-risk parents with intellectual disabilities. Child Abuse Negl. 2010;34:699–710.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Tymchuk AJ. Predicting adequacy of parenting by people with mental retardation. Child Abuse Negl. 1992;16(2):165–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Lightfoot E, Hill K, LaLiberte T. The inclusion of disability as a condition for termination of parental rights. Child Abuse Negl. 2010;34:927–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Frasier LD. Abusive head trauma in infants and young children: a unique contributor to developmental disabilities. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2008;55:1269–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Keenan HT, Runyan DK, Marshall SW, Nocera MA, Merten DF, Sinal SH. A population-based study of inflicted traumatic brain injury in young children. JAMA. 2003;290:621–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Hagberg B, Hagberg G. The changing panorama of cerebral palsy in Sweden: 5. The birth year period 1979–82. Acta Paediatr Scand. 1989;78:283–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Copel LC. Partner abuse in physically disabled women: a proposed model for understanding intimate partner violence. Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2006;42(2):114–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Walker LE. The battered woman. New York: Harper Colophon Books; 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gilson SF, Cramer EP, Depoy E. (Re)Defining abuse of women with disabilities: a paradox of limitation and expansion. Affilia. 2001;16:220–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Milberger S, Israel N, LeRoy B, Martin A, Potter L, Patchak-Schuster P. Brief report: violence against women with disabilities. Violence Vict. 2003;18(5):581–91.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Curry MA, Renker P, Robinson-Whelan S, Hughes R, Swank PR, Oschwald M, Powers LE. Facilitators and barriers to disclosing abuse among women with disabilities. Violence Vict. 2011;26(4):430–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hershokowitz D, Lamb ME, Horowitz D. Victimization of children with disabilities. Am J Orthopsychiatr. 2013;77(4):629–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Poole DA, Lamb ME. Investigative interviews of children: a guide for helping professionals. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 1998.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  31. Ballard MB, Austin S. Forensic interviewing: special considerations for children and adolescents with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Educ Train Ment Retard Dev Disabil. 1999;34(4):521–5.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Cederborg A, Lamb ME. How does the legal system respond when children with learning difficulties are victimized? Child Abuse Negl. 2006;30(5):537–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Henry LA, Bettenay C, Carney DPJ. Children with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders. In: Lamb ME, La Rooy DJ, Malloy LC, Katz C, editors. Children’s testimony. A handbook of psychological research and forensic practice. 2nd ed. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell; 2011. p. 251–83.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  34. Anderson J, Heath R. Forensic interviews of children who have developmental disabilities, Part 1 of 2. National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse Update. 2006;19(1):3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Anderson J, Heath R. Forensic interviews of children who have developmental disabilities, Part 2 of 2. National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse Update. 2006;19(2):73–95.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Llewellyn A, Hogan K. The use and abuse models of disability. Disabil Soc. 2000;15:157–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Finlay WM, Lyons E. Acquiescence in interviews with people who have mental retardation. Ment Retard. 2002;40:14–29.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Matthews E, Saywitz R. Child victim witness manual. Calif Cent Judicial Educ Res J. 1992;12:5–81.

    Google Scholar 

  39. American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Guidelines for the use of anatomical dolls. Chicago: Author; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Heckler S. Facilitated communication: a response by child protection. Child Abuse Negl. 1994;18(6):495–503.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Ericson K, Perlman N, Isaacs B. Witness competency, communication issues and people with developmental disabilities. Dev Disabil Bull. 1994;22(2):101–9.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Balderian NJ, Coleman TF, Stream J. Abuse of people with disabilities: Victims and their families speak out, A report on the 2012 National Survey on Abuse of People with Disabilities. Disability Abuse Project. Los Angeles: Spectrum Institute; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank J. Manders, A. Grosvald-Hamilton, P. Toth, and J. Kenniston for additional information provided by personal communication. Additional information is available from: Teachers College, Columbia University [producer]. Child Abuse and Children with Disabilities: A New York State Perspective: 2004 [CD-ROM]. Available from New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Readers are directed to this article with the full list of citations and references: Palusci VJ, Datner E, Wilkins C. Developmental disabilities: Abuse and neglect in children and adults. International Journal of Child Health and Human Development 2015;8(4) 407–428.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University School of Medicine, Bellevue Hospital Center, 462 First Avenue, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Vincent J. Palusci M.D., M.S.

  2. Frances L Loeb Child Protection and Development Center, Bellevue Hospital, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Ellen L. Datner PsyD

  3. New York University, Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA

    Christine Wilkins Ph.D., LCSW

Authors
  1. Vincent J. Palusci M.D., M.S.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ellen L. Datner PsyD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Christine Wilkins Ph.D., LCSW
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vincent J. Palusci M.D., M.S. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability and Department of Pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    I. Leslie Rubin

  2. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Medical Services, Division for Developmental and Developmental Disabilities, Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, Jerusalem, Israel

    Joav Merrick

  3. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Donald E. Greydanus  & Dilip R. Patel  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Palusci, V.J., Datner, E.L., Wilkins, C. (2016). Abuse and Neglect. In: Rubin, I.L., Merrick, J., Greydanus, D.E., Patel, D.R. (eds) Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_153

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_153

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18095-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18096-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation