Zero Abuse Project: Interviewing Children with Disabilities and the Use of Interpreters in the FI

Part 1: Interviewing a Child with Disabilities

Course Description

Professionals charged with interviewing children for alleged abuse are likely to encounter children with developmental and physical disabilities. Individualizing the process for children is paramount. This presentation will focus on how to prepare the child, family, forensic interviewer, and MDT for the forensic interview process. It will also give concrete suggestions for techniques, flexibilities, and accommodations to support children with disabilities in the forensic interview and MDT process.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss strategies for interviewing children with disabilities.

2. Provide an overview of the rates of victimization, factors that increase risk of abuse, and children’s abilities to describe information.