| Abuse and Neglect of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities: A Problem of National Significance |
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A Web Course for Health Professionals and Other Professionals |
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“Thank you for making this course available! I was genuinely impressed with the user friendly format, the resources available, and the amount of information I learned that will be most helpful in my field of employment. Everything was clearly presented and the course material was well organized. I would recommend this course to everyone employed in the human services field!” Linda Ralston |
About the Course
This comprehensive Web course consists of 13 self-paced instructional modules which address the complexity of issues that surface when abuse or neglect of children or adults with developmental disabilities is suspected. Prevention strategies are also addressed.(See Annotated Outline.) Each module includes learning objectives, self-study questions, references, resources, and links to relevant websites. Continuing Education credits are available. (See Continuing Education Credits.) A Seminar Discussion Guide is available as a free bonus for groups of 5 or more participants registering together. (See Seminar Discussion Guide.)
Target Audience
This Web course was originally designed for healthcare professionals, who are in key positions to detect maltreatment as they serve people with developmental disabilities across the continuum from inpatient to community based care. Course content is also highly relevant for other professionals who serve children and adults with developmental disabilities in other settings, such as education, protective services, the courts, and law enforcement, as well as for students in these fields.
Background
Children and adults with developmental disabilities are at greater risk than others for all types of abuse and neglect, including sexual assault and financial exploitation. In addition, abuse and neglect often RESULT in disability, permanently damaging the person’s health, and leaving him or her more vulnerable to further maltreatment. Consequences of abuse and neglect for persons with developmental disabilities can be extremely serious and even life-threatening, especially in combination with the person’s other medical conditions and vulnerabilities.
Early identification and intervention are crucial to insure the health and safety of persons with developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, it is more difficult to recognize maltreatment of these persons, due to a number of factors, including society’s general denial of this problem, the individual’s communication challenges, and isolation of the person with developmental disabilities. Symptoms of some disabilities can mimic signs of maltreatment, making it hard to tell the difference. Persons with developmental disabilities may also be afraid to report maltreatment for fear of retaliation, loss of care, or being institutionalized.
About the Project
In 2001, the United States Administration on Developmental Disabilities awarded a grant to the Partnership for People with Disabilities, a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at Virginia Commonwealth University, to support a collaborative effort to address these deficits in knowledge and skills through a Project of National Significance, Educating Health Professionals about the Maltreatment of Individuals with Disabilities: A National Training consortium (Project #90DN0077). Through this project, the Partnership collaborated with seven other UCEDDs and five Protection and Advocacy agencies across the nation, in addition to the project’s Local Planning Council, to produce the Web course. The course was also pilot-tested with 27 professionals of various disciplines from around the country, with the assistance of these national partners.
About the Partnership for People with Disabilities
The Partnership for People with Disabilities is recognized by the U. S. Administration on Developmental Disabilities as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The Partnership maintains an interdisciplinary approach to all of its activities, which allows it to explore a wide spectrum of professional services and community interests as it seeks to expand opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. Many important partners collaborate with the Partnership to create communities where all people live, work, and play together with choices and independences. These partners include numerous parents, consumers, disability service providers, K-12 schools and school divisions, professional organizations, and state and local agencies from around the country.