A repeated finding in studies of child abuse and neglect is the overrepresentation of handicapped children. This paper examines such findings in light of the paradoxically low incidence of handicapped children in state and national statistics on maltreated children. Drawing on existing data and their own survey findings, the authors suggest that the child protection system may be neglecting developmentally disabled children by failing to recognize and document handicaps among maltreated populations. The authors call for better reporting systems, coordination between agencies that serve developmentally disabled and maltreated children, and training for child protection workers.
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