CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF NEGLECT WHEN THE PARENT OR OTHER ADULT CAREGIVER: • Appears to be indifferent to the child. • Seems apathetic or depressed. • Displays irrational behavior • Abuses drugs and alcohol CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF SEXUAL ABUSE WHEN THE CHILD: • Has difficulty walking or sitting. • Suddenly refuses to change to gym or to participate in physical activities. • Reports nightmares or bedwetting. • Experiences a sudden change in appetite. • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior. • Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if underage 14. • Runs away. • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver. • Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment. CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF SEXUAL ABUSE WHEN THE PARENT OR OTHER ADULT CAREGIVER: • Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex. • Is secretive and isolated. • Is jealous or controlling with family members. CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT WHEN THE CHILD:
• Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression. • Is either an inappropriate adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example). • Is delayed in physical or emotional development. • Has attempted suicide. • Reports a lack of attachment to the parent. CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF EMOTIONAL MALTREATMENT WHEN THE PARENT OR OTHER ADULT CAREGIVER: • Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child. • Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help
for the child’s problems. • Overtly rejects the child.
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