The impact of child abuse and neglect on the first three years of lifeFrom birth to By the age of three, there is immense growth in all areas of a child's development. The different experiences a child goes through have a very broad impact on these areas of development. When experiences are predominantly negative, children can develop a variety of developmental problems that will persist throughout their lives. Growing evidence indicates that child abuse and neglect can impair a child's social, emotional, and intellectual growth process (Egeland & Sroufe, 1981; Hildyard & Wolfe, 2002). This information is consistent with the attachment theories of John Bowlby (1988) and Mary Ainsworth (1970), as well as Erik Erikson's (1963) theory of psychosocial development. These theories suggest that maltreatment occurring early in life is particularly detrimental to individuals' later development. Child abuse is the deliberate harm inflicted on children and young people by adults or older adolescents. According to the Ministry of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (2011), there are four main types of child abuse, which can coexist: physical abuse; psychological violence; neglect and sexual abuse. Physical violence is defined as the deliberate use of physical force against another resulting in harm or potential bodily harm. When exposed to this form of abuse from birth to the age of three, the child can have adverse health effects (Vinchon et al, 2005). These health effects include physical injuries such as bruises and fractures. Physical abuse can also lead to future health problems such as "heart disease, obesity, liver disease, cancer, and chronic lung disease" (Lazenbatt 2010, ...... middle of article ......impaired cognitive, emotional, and social problems that can persist throughout life Child maltreatment can also interfere with the important attachment relationship that infants have with their primary caregiver from an early age. This disruption can further lead to other developmental problems such as ongoing physical, intellectual and psychological consequences which may be evident during later periods of the individual's life. Different ways in which children react to experiences should also be noted, as not all children react in the same way. Both play an important role in a child's reaction to abuse and neglect. A person who suffered abuse as a child does not necessarily have developmental or attachment problems and does not develop normally..