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Addressing the Needs of Children With Disabilities Experiencing Disaster or Terrorism

  • Child and Family Disaster Psychiatry (B Pfefferbaum, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper reviews the empirical literature on psychosocial factors relating to children with disabilities in the context of disaster or terrorism.

Recent Findings

Research indicates adults with disabilities experience increased exposure to hazards due to existing social disparities and barriers associated with disability status. However, studies on the psychological effects of disaster/terrorism on children with pre-existing disabilities are exceedingly few and empirical evidence of the effectiveness of trauma-focused therapies for this population is limited. Secondary adversities, including social stigma and health concerns, also compromise the recovery of these children post-disaster/terrorism. Schools and teachers appear to be particularly important in the recovery of children with disabilities from disaster. Disasters, terrorism, and war all contribute to increased incidence of disability, as well as disproportionately affect children with pre-existing disabilities.

Summary

Disaster preparedness interventions and societal changes are needed to decrease the disproportionate environmental and social vulnerability of children with disabilities to disaster and terrorism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, Center on Disability and Development, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 4225, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Laura M. Stough & Donghyun Kang

  2. Department of Educational Leadership and Special Education, School of Education, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA, 94928, USA

    Elizabeth McAdams Ducy

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  1. Laura M. Stough
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  2. Elizabeth McAdams Ducy
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Correspondence to Laura M. Stough.

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Laura M. Stough, Elizabeth McAdams Ducy, and Donghyun Kang declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Child and Family Disaster Psychiatry

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Stough, L.M., Ducy, E.M. & Kang, D. Addressing the Needs of Children With Disabilities Experiencing Disaster or Terrorism. Curr Psychiatry Rep 19, 24 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0776-8

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