Maltreatment of Handicapped Children

Abstract

(from the chapter) evidence has accrued suggesting that children with handicaps are at increased risk for abuse and neglect / three characteristics are posited to contribute to this heightened risk: (1) disruptions in the formation of caregiver-infant attachment, (2) increased stress (often related to difficult-to-manage behavior problems and extensive care requirements), and (3) increased vulnerability / these factors, along with the other issues faced in treating families involved in the abuse and neglect of their children, must be taken into account with parents of handicapped children (chapter)