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What indicators might you notice in a child who has been neglected?

Maltreatment/Neglect Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress. Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities, for long periods, or overnight. Unattended physical problems or medical or dental needs. Abandonment.

atrainceu.com - 5. Indicators of Child Abuse or Maltreatment/Neglect

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Indicators, or signs, of child abuse or maltreatment are alerts or warnings that you need to give more attention to a situation (CWIG, 2013a; NYSOCFS, 2016, 2011, n.d.; Monroe County, 2003).

The three types of indicators to consider are:

Physical indicators

Child’s behavioral indicators

Parent’s behavioral indicators

Sometimes a situation will be straightforward. For example, a baby born with a positive toxicology, a child with the handprint of a slap showing on their face, or a direct disclosure made by a child give clear support for reasonable cause to suspect. However, more often the situation will require that you pull together several indicators or clusters of indicators. The lists that follow identify many common indicators of possible abuse or maltreatment, but these should not be considered in isolation from the child’s current condition or circumstances (how they look and act). In addition, signs may sometimes appear contradictory (NYSOCFS, 2011). Consider each of your unique experiences with children when you are assessing a situation. Sometimes you will have had regular interactions with a child and other times you will see a child only once. Consider what you know of the child and appropriate age and developmental norms. Keep in mind that children are individuals and will not necessarily react in the same way to a given situation (NYSOCFS, 2011). Also, be aware of the parent or other legally responsible individual’s behavior. If the information you are getting suggests abuse or maltreatment, ask yourself the following questions: Is this explanation plausible? Is the person repeating gossip or speaking from personal knowledge? What specifically are they saying about the child’s condition or behavior? (NYSOCFS, 2011). Never assume abuse or maltreatment. Conversely, many abused and maltreated children may not show any of these indicators (NYSOCFS, n.d.).

Physical Abuse

Child’s physical indicators

Unexplained bruises and welts

On face, lips, mouth

On torso, back, buttocks, thighs

In various states of healing

Clustered, forming regular patterns, reflecting shape of article used to inflict (electric cord, belt buckle)

On several different surface areas

Regularly appear after absence, weekend, or vacation

Unexplained burns

Cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back, and buttocks

Immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like, doughnut-shaped on buttocks or genitalia)

Patterned like electric burner, iron, et.

Rope burns on arms, legs, neck, or torso

Unexplained lacerations or abrasions

To mouth, lips, gums, eyes, ears

To external genitalia

On backs of arms, legs, or torso

Human bite marks

Frequent injuries that are “accidental” or unexplained

Child’s behavioral indicators

Wary of adult contact

Apprehensive when other children cry

Behavioral extremes: aggressiveness, withdrawal, changes in behavior

Frightened of parents

Afraid to go home

Reports injury by parents

Wears long-sleeved or similar clothing to hide injuries

Or conversely, inappropriate boundaries and affection seeking from any adult

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Parent’s behavioral indicators

Seems unconcerned about child

Takes an unusual amount of time to obtain medical care for the child

Offers an inadequate or inappropriate explanation for the child’s injury

Gives different explanations for the same injury

Personal or partner abuse of alcohol or other drugs

Personal or partner history of mental illness; especially if inadequately treated

Disciplines the child too harshly considering the child’s age or what he/she did wrong

Describes the child as bad, evil, etc.

Has a personal history of abuse as a child

Frequent partner changes

Attempts to conceal the child’s injury

Takes the child to a different doctor or hospital for each injury

Has poor impulse control

Maltreatment/Neglect

Child’s physical indicators

Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress

Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities, for long periods, or overnight

Unattended physical problems or medical or dental needs

Abandonment

Child’s behavioral indicators

Begging or stealing food

Extended stays in school (early arrival and late departure)

Attendance at school infrequent

Constant fatigue, falling asleep in class

Alcohol and drug abuse

States there is no caretaker

Parent’s behavioral indicators

Misuses alcohol or other drugs

Has disorganized, upsetting home life

Is apathetic, feels nothing will change

Is isolated from friends, relatives, neighbors

Has long-term chronic illness

Cannot be found

Has history of neglect as a child

Exposes child to unsafe living conditions

Evidences limited intellectual capacity

Emotional Maltreatment

Child’s physical indicators

Conduct disorders (fighting in school, anti-social, destructive, etc.)

Habit disorders (rocking, biting, sucking fingers, etc.)

Neurotic disorders (tics, sleep problems, inhibition of play)

Psychoneurotic reactions (phobias, hysterical reactions, compulsion, hypochondria)

Lags in physical development

Failure to thrive

Child’s behavioral indicators

Overly adaptive behavior (inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile)

Developmental delays (mental, emotional)

Extremes of behavior (compliant, passive, aggressive, demanding)

Suicide attempts or gestures, self-mutilation

Parent’s behavioral indicators

Treats children in the family unequally

Doesn’t seem to care much about child’s problems

Blames or belittles child

Is cold and rejecting

Inconsistent behavior toward child

Sexual Abuse

Child’s Physical Indicators

Difficulty in walking or sitting

Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

Pain or itching in genital area

Pregnancy, especially in early adolescent years

Bruises or bleeding in external genital, vaginal, or anal areas

Sexually transmitted disease (especially in pre-adolescent age group), includes venereal oral infections

Child’s behavioral indicators

Unwilling to change for or participate in physical education class

Withdrawal, fantasy, or infantile behavior

Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge

Self-injurious behaviors, suicide attempts

Poor peer relationships

Aggressive or disruptive behavior, delinquency, running away, or school truancy

Reports sexual assault by caretaker

Exaggerated fear of closeness or physical contact

Parent’s behavioral indicators

atrainceu.com - 5. Indicators of Child Abuse or Maltreatment/Neglect

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