1 Michigan State University, USA.
2 The University of Chicago, USA.
Autism. 2019 Jul;23(5):1335-1340. doi: 10.1177/1362361318813998. Epub 2018 Dec 7.
Children with disabilities experience elevated rates of maltreatment, but little is known about the interaction of children with autism spectrum disorder with child protection systems. A population-based dataset of 24,306 children born in 2008 in Tennessee, which included 387 children with autism spectrum disorder identified through the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring network, was linked with state child protection records. Rates of maltreatment referrals, screening for further action, and substantiated maltreatment were examined for children with versus without autism spectrum disorder. Significantly more children with autism spectrum disorder (17.3%) than without (7.4%) were referred to the Child Abuse Hotline. Children with autism spectrum disorder were less likely than children without autism spectrum disorder to have referrals screened in for further action (62% vs 91.6%, respectively), but substantiated maltreatment rates were similar across groups (3.9% vs 3.4%, respectively). Girls versus boys with autism spectrum disorder were more likely to have substantiated maltreatment (13.6% vs 1.9%, respectively). The high percentage of children with autism spectrum disorder referred for allegations of maltreatment, the differential pattern of screening referrals in for further action, and the high levels of substantiated maltreatment of girls with autism spectrum disorder highlights the need for enhanced training and knowledge of the complex issues faced by children with autism spectrum disorder, their families, and state welfare agencies.
患有残疾的儿童遭受虐待的比例较高，但对于自闭症谱系障碍儿童与儿童保护系统的相互作用知之甚少。田纳西州 2008 年出生的 24306 名儿童的基于人群的数据集，其中包括通过自闭症和发育障碍监测网络确定的 387 名自闭症谱系障碍儿童，与州儿童保护记录相关联。检查了自闭症谱系障碍儿童与无自闭症谱系障碍儿童的虐待转介、进一步行动筛查和证实的虐待发生率。与没有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童（7.4%）相比，患有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童（17.3%）更有可能被转介到儿童虐待热线。与没有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童相比，自闭症谱系障碍儿童的转介更不可能被筛选以采取进一步行动（分别为 62%和 91.6%），但两组的证实虐待率相似（分别为 3.9%和 3.4%）。与自闭症谱系障碍男孩相比，自闭症谱系障碍女孩更有可能受到证实的虐待（分别为 13.6%和 1.9%）。有自闭症谱系障碍的儿童被转介指控虐待的比例很高，进一步行动筛查的转介模式存在差异，以及自闭症谱系障碍女孩证实的虐待程度很高，这突显了需要加强对自闭症谱系障碍儿童、他们的家庭和州福利机构所面临的复杂问题的培训和知识。
