Dr. Kelly Carrero, Ph.D., BCBA, LBA-TX

Kelly Carrero

Associate Professor, Pathology & Special Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce

[email protected]

Lessons Learned

• People use the skills they have, i.e., indi who are maltreating children are often acting as they know how to act…this is within the context of support agents/individuals who work with children with disabilities…such individuals need additional strategies…when these strategies no longer work, we see a heightened incidence of maltreatment…
• Individuals with disabilities are often acting within their skill set, or competencies…many genuinely do not know how to act in a more socially acceptable manner… this puts them at risk to be both maltreated or to be offenders
• This work…trying to enhance the safety and success of individuals with disabilities….is hard to look at…to think about…to act on…it is important to realize that maltreatment can be addressed… it is not impossible… there is a “bright” side of the work, e.g., finding solutions that help individuals to be safer and more successful ….”need to stop admiring the problem” ….need to find, share, use solutions

Suggested Resources

• Torey Hayden texts, e.g., …texts from perspective of a teacher…brings up many challenging, but critical topics 
• National Trauma Network
• …resources re. social skills, interacting with first responders 
• …multi-cultural site: https://ccpep.org/home/what-is-cultural-proficiency/the-continuum/ 
•  …promoting adaptive behaviors 
   

Collaborative Areas of Interest

• Projects that are looking at building capacity in first responders, teachers, caregivers to how best interact with children with disabilities 
• Children, youth and adults with disabilities ….building safety skills  
• Culturally sustaining practices, e.g., social awareness, interactional skills, etc.