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Abstract

Many children may be visually handicapped or blind due to child abuse. This possibility is often unrecognized by agencies and school programs serving visually handicapped and blind children. Workers should be alert to medical conditions and eye disorders that are related to child abuse, the general characteristics of battering parents or caretakers, and legal procedures designed to protect the abused child. Agency and school personnel may best serve families suspected of child abuse by offering immediate, consistent, and continuing emotional support employing a non-judgmental attitude. Close communication and mutual support among various professional workers serving the family are essential. Some experiences in an agency for the blind illustrate the possible tragedy of inadequate awareness of child abuse as well as some practical suggestions for serving the suspected battered child and his family.

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Social and Medical Aspects of the Battered Child with Vision Impairment

Abstract

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References