Comprehension Check

1. Comprehension Check • When should parents seek a diagnosis of a child they suspect might be handicapped? • What are the keys to helping a child gain independence? • How does mental disability affect a child’s mental development? • What type of directions work best with a child with mental disabilities? • Why are parents reluctant to seek help when they suspect their child may have emotional problems?

2. Imagine you work at the summer park district children's camp. You suspect one of the children is being abused. What is the next step you will take?

3. What would you do? • You observe your neighbor in the yard yanking on her child and telling him how stupid and clumsy he is. This is a common scene with them. • Your best friend often wears long sleeves in hot weather and will not explain bruises that she routinely has.

4. Beth and Jason had been married for only two months when Jason first gave Beth a black eye. Five years and two children later, he is more abusive than ever. Last week, for the first time, after a night of drinking, Jason shoved two-year-old Natashia into the wall. Beth was gripped with fear. She has no job and no one to turn to. She wonders how much longer she can take it. • Why does Jason act like this? • Why does Beth let this go on? • What should she do? • Who will benefit from any action she takes?

5. Child Abuse and Neglect • Did you know approximately 3 million reports of suspected child abuse and neglect are made to state agencies each year. • CAPTA Federal Child Abuse Prevention and treatment Act– defines the maltreatment of children • Each state has its own definition of child abuse and neglect • Il state Laws

6. Physical Abuse • Injury caused by: shaking, burns, bites, hitting, scalding water, etc.

7. Neglect • Failure to provide basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education

8. Sexual Abuse • Ranges from fondling a child to pornography

9. Emotional Abuse • Placing unreasonable or excessive demands on a child. Teasing, belittling, bizarre forms of punishment, deprive love

10. Maltreatment (Abuse) • Neglect is the most common form of abuse • Physical is a quarter of the cases • More then 10% involve sexual abuse • Typically a pattern of behavior. • Outcomes – poor growth, mentally challenged, brain damage, mental health disorders. Hopelessness, depression, low self-esteem and anti-social behavior.

11. Who are Child Abusers? • Usually parents, or relatives of the child • Difficulty handling emotional situations • Lonely • Hard time coping with their own personal problems • Low self-esteem • May have been abused themselves as children • If abuse is the only kind of parenting they know, they may repeat the behavior • Come from all income levels, ethnic groups, and religions • Typically only one parent is the abuser; however, if the other parent refuses to recognize it they are playing an active role.

12. Why Does Abuse Happen? • Parents are easily provoked • Unable to maintain self-control • When irritated they respond quickly and violently • Respond without thought • Uncontrollable emotion • May be a car won’t start, fight with spouse could trigger the abuse

13. Abusers believe • Infant you hold a baby they will become spoiled • Unrealistic expectations of what children can do • Remember commands once

14. What Can Be Done • Against the law • Mandated reporters- teachers, early childhood providers, health care workers • Every state has a child welfare agency • Hotline numbers • 24 hours to investigate • If a child is in immediate danger, a court may place the child in a foster home • If there is a history of abuse, severe injuries parents can be charged and tried. • Putting the parent in jail is a temporary fix. Parent needs treatment and counseling.

15. What can be done • Parents Anonymous • Crisis Nursery • Child abuse can be related to poor parenting skills and lack of knowledge about child development