Roll Call Training Series: Child Victims with Disabilities
This Roll Call Training Series consists of five brief video training sessions for first responders, law enforcement, child protective services, and other professionals working with child victims with disabilities. Videos range from 15-18 minutes.
Unit 1: An Introduction
Unit 1: An Introduction includes information on recognizing disabilities, the effects of abuse on children, working with parents and family, things to consider in your first interaction with children with disabilities, and basic tips on communication.
Unit 2: Disability and Abuse 101
Unit 2 includes a brief overview of working with children with a range of disabilities and a discussion of their increased risks for victimization. Presenters will also talk about the impacts of abelism and how to avoid causing unintended harm, and will share tips on disability etiquette.
Unit 3: Power and Control
Recognizing the dynamics of power, control, and abusive relationships can increase our ability to recognize and respond to child victims in crisis. Unit 3: Power and Control explores these dynamics, as well as differences and similarities in the abuse of children and adults with and without disabilities.
Unit 4: Children and Trauma
Many of the child victims with disabilities you encounter will share common responses to traumatic events, including fight, flight, and freeze. Unit 4: Children and Trauma shares what those responses might look like, how you can more effectively respond, and how traumatic events impact child development.
Unit 5: Responding to Distress
Unit 5: Responding to Distress identifies strategies for interacting with children with a range of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual, mental health, and sensory processing disabilities. Presenters will share useful responses to children in distress and discuss de-escalation tips and strategies.
