Children are children. With or without disabilities, they go through the same stages and have the same needs for attention, affection, and inclusion. All children in our society are vulnerable to abuse. But children with disabilities are more vulnerable than others. And they are most likely to be abused by those who work with them.
Abuse comes in many forms.
Caregivers may painstakingly attend to children's physical needs but often overlook their need for social relationships and opportunities to explore their world. Systems that segregate children with and without disabilities reinforce this. Finding homes for children with disabilities who can't live with their parents can be difficult. They're often placed in any spare bed, whether or not they'll receive good care. Poor care can lead to behaviour problems, resulting in frequent moves and worse behaviour problems.