Maltreatment and Developmental Disabilities in Children

The purpose of this review is to explore the interactive influences of maltreatment and disabilities on children's development, and to provide practical suggestions about what may be done to optimize developmental outcomes. The review briefly describes maltreatment in the general population, noting incidence, proportions of children experiencing different types of maltreatment, and special risk for very young children. The disproportionate vulnerability of children with developmental disabilities is discussed, with emphasis on risk factors for maltreatment. The high incidence of developmental disabilities in maltreated children and reasons for it are described. Studies documenting the developmental consequences of abuse and neglect are reviewed. Specific recommendations, based on review of maltreatment and disability literature, include recognizing subtle forms of maltreatment; routinely screening for developmental problems; referring children for comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation; identifying caregiver competency; gaining familiarity with intervention resources; and monitoring children's progress with directive guidance.