ABSTRACT
Programs developed to meet the needs of families where abuse and/or neglect have occurred vary in focus. According to Cohn (1979a), the majority of programs center treatment on the parents. In a survey of 11 demonstration projects for abusing families only 3 developed and operated programs designed for the abused or neglected child. Thus, Cohn advocated a child centered approach as an option for working with maltreated children given the positive changes in social/emotional development displayed by children in such programs. This view is supported by McQuiston and Kempe (1980) who stated that “as with profoundly handicapped children, the abused child needs early intervention as part of the comprehensive treatment program for his/her family” (p. 379). The authors also affirm the importance of the early childhood years in terms of the development of self-esteem and the importance of intervention at this time to alter the development of deviant coping styles exhibited by older abused children.
