PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF FAMILY ABUSE OF CHILDREN SERVED BY UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY CENTERS

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Abstract
Two preliminary surveys were performed of children under six years of age to determine: (i) whether handicapping conditions may have occurred as a result of abuse, and (ii) the incidence of abuse among children who already had disabilities. The first group of children were in preschool programs operated by United Cerebral Palsy affiliates and the second group were in respite care programs operated by such affiliates, 42 preschool programs with 2771 children and 14 respite care programs with 435 children responded to the survey questionnaire. The results suggest a high incidence of abuse among handicapped children in preschool programs, but a lower incidence in respite care programs. There is a need for greater awareness and reporting of abuse in programs for young handicapped children.