Maltreatment/Bullying

Children are expected to be loved, nurtured and protected. Instead one in four children with disabilities will experience maltreatment, i.e., physical, sexual and/or psychological abuse. The maltreatment experience significantly inhibits the children’s learning, language, behavior, social, academic performance and health. In recognition of this reality, CEC has recently established a policy and position statement that states educational professionals must have the responsibility to not only recognize and report, but also work to prevent and respond to the maltreatment of their students. As a result, professionals must now learn how to give their students the knowledge, skills and resources they need to recognize, avoid and when necessary, respond to maltreatment.

In support of this requisite knowledge, professionals are encouraged to access the CEC Bright Spot Project. This Project has been designed to foster the identification, documentation, dissemination and recognition of individuals who are actively working to prevent and respond to the maltreatment of children with disabilities. The resulting knowledge base of: a) lessons learned; b) resources developed; c) resources used; and d) collaborative interests represent a unique data base of how professionals can enhance both the safety and success of children with disabilities.

If you have questions about maltreatment or best practices in this area, please contact CEC to be put in touch with a subject matter expert in this field.