title: An Exploratory Study of the Knowledge of Personal Safety Skills Among Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Parents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study assessed the knowledge of personal safety skills among children with developmental disabilities and their parents' perceptions of children's knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  This exploratory study examined the mental health records of 37 children with developmental disabilities referred for an abuse risk reduction group in a community mental health setting. Qualitative analysis of children's responses to questions about personal safety skills (knowledge related to physical development and personal safety, an appropriate and inappropriate touch and safety skills to respond to an inappropriate touch) indicated participants' varied and inconsistent levels of knowledge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with the literature, the results indicate risk factors for sexual abuse among children with developmental disabilities, including children's difficulty distinguishing between an appropriate and inappropriate touch and the lack of knowledge regarding appropriate venues for disclosing an inappropriate touch. Among parents, a lack of certainty regarding their children's knowledge and the ability to keep themselves safe was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results support the need for education about personal safety for children with developmental disabilities and their families.
authors.affiliation: USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Hannah L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pavlik
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Welfare, Myongji University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Ah
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rogers
keywords: abuse prevention; child abuse; developmental disability; sexual abuse