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.

3. Learn techniques to individualize the forensic interview for children with disabilities during the interview and suggestions for the child’s needs after the interview.

Part II: The Use of Interpreters in the Forensic Interview: A Training for Interpreters

Course Description

Promoting effective communication between forensic interviewers and the presenting child is a critical part of the forensic interview process. Facilitating this effective communication sometimes requires the use of an interpreter. This presentation, will first provide an overview of best practices for utilizing interpreters in forensic interviews. The second half, intended for interpreters and MDT members that train interpreters will offer a foundational knowledge of CACs, MDTs and forensic interview process. It will also familiarize interpreters with tools and techniques utilized in the forensic interview and will better prepare them for accurately and effectively interpreting child abuse forensic interviews.

Learning Objectives

1. Discuss best practices for utilizing intepreters in the forensic interview.

2. Familiarize interpreters with the interworking of CACs, MDTs and the child abuse forensic interview.

3. Provide an overview of the dynamics of abuse and how these dynamics may affect the interpretation of the forensic interview.