Document Type
Research Paper
Publication Date
2017
Abstract
Abuse and mistreatment of individuals with disabilities is a prevalent problem in our society. This paper examines the perceptions of various forms of abuse individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) have. The literature on this topic most often is statistical about occurrences rather than recorded accounts of experiences and perceptions. The literature found seems to focus on individuals' views and feelings presents perceptions of adults with ID on abuse, abusers, and morality. The current study simplifies the focus of the research and examines perceptions children with ID have about abusive and non abusive scenarios. Overall research about abuse perceptions is limited and in most cases utilizes qualitative methods to understand how individuals feel and respond to abuse and scenarios. However this study is a quantitative study to determine if children with ID can identify when, or if, abuse is occurring in a given scenario.
To directly relate this research about abuse to the specific role in the field of an elementary special educator, this research focuses perceptions children have of abusers, abuse, and morality. In reading through the literature and composing the literature review it became apparent that most all of the articles and studies involved adults, and there was no scholarly research found to be conducted with children enrolled in special education programs about their perceptions of abuse. This resonates on the deeper issue we have in our society and school systems, because some students have been exposed to abusive situations, and all students have their own perceptions on the topic whether they have been exposed to it personally, or not. The focus of this research study project is on perceptions that children with intellectual disabilities have about abuse, abusers, and morality. The study examines this subject by looking to see if children can identify, or recognize, various forms of abuse and morally conscious decisions in particular scenarios. The research was conducted by means of a written survey that was read aloud and presented with accompanying picture cues.
Recommended Citation
Hull, Sydney, "Perceptions of individuals with intellectual disabilities on abuse" (2017). Brehm Scholars Research. 3.
https://commons.emich.edu/brehm/3
