Maltreatment of children and adolescents with multiple handicaps: Five case examples

Little attention has been directed toward abuse and neglect in children and adolescents with multiple handicaps. This population, however, may be at especially high risk for maltreatment. Factors contributing to added risk include: (a) disruption in mother-infant attachment, (b) greater stress related to care needs and difficult to manage behavior problems, and (c) increased vulnerability due to communication and/or cognitive limitations. Five cases are presented involving abuse and neglect in psychiatrically referred children with multiple handicaps. Cases are discussed in terms of: (a) difficulties in identifying maltreatment in those with multiple handicaps, (b) the need for multidisciplinary intervention with families who engage in maltreatment, and (c) suggestions for future directions that research might take.