How to Spot Child Neglect
Child neglect is a form of child abuse. And, as with abuse, "neglect" is a broad term referring to numerous problems, with some posing more immediate dangers than others. Kids require nutritious food, health care, shelter, clean clothing, security, a sanitary environment, adequate restful sleep, attention, stimulation, supervision, discipline, affection and more. Failure to provide any of these is neglectful. If you're in a position to spot signs of neglect in a child, it's sometimes tricky to determine whether certain lines have been crossed, and it's certainly a daunting prospect to step up and speak out. However, a child's welfare may depend on your observations and willingness to intervene.
Instructions
Look for frequent signs that a child's personal hygiene isn't tended to. These commonly include dirty skin or clothing, greasy or matted hair, excessively worn or torn clothing or shoes, being insufficiently dressed for cold weather, noticeably ill-fitting clothing and chronically bad odor or breath. Keep an eye out for excessive or recurring bruises or other injuries, as ChildHelp's "Speak Up Be Safe," information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway, advises, especially in less typical places like on the torso, face, upper legs or buttocks. Be particularly suspicious when explanations for injuries seem unlikely or when injuries are linear or in the shape of objects. Frequent injuries are a key sign of physical abuse, but can also point to a lack of adequate supervision or inappropriate risk-taking behaviors, another sign of abuse and neglect. Be concerned about lack of medical attention and untreated injuries or illnesses. Failure to provide anything from a bandage to antibiotic ointment to stitches to medication or surgery when they're needed amounts to neglect. Also, ask a child if he ever sees his pediatrician or dentist for checkups or other care; if not, this is also neglectful. Evaluate for signs and symptoms of malnutrition or poor sleep habits, which may include slow or absent growth, being underweight, poor skin or hair health, excessive fatigue or lethargy, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive hunger, frequent illness, cognitive difficulties or delays, depression and others. Check whether the child has a healthy lunch or lunch money at school. Note frequent absence or tardiness at school as a potential sign of neglect, as Melinda Smith and Dr. Jeanne Segal, who have a master's and a doctorate in psychology, respectively, write for the nonprofit, Helpguide. Also note poor performance; lack of parental involvement or interest; late or forgotten pickups at school or other scheduled activities; age-inappropriate stretches of time without a caretaker or supervisor; and descriptions of dangerous or unsanitary environments. Pay attention to serious chronic behavioral problems or abnormalities. These can include so many things and, while they point to neglect, they aren't necessarily giveaways. However, common issues in neglected or abused children include bullying, aggression, withdrawal or isolation, difficulty forming friendships, low self-esteem, fearfulness, depression, anxiety, being invested in perfection or performance to an unhealthy degree, lack of attachment to caregivers, over-attachment or excessive neediness, any sort of behavioral extremes, self-destructive behaviors, regressive behaviors like thumb-sucking or bed-wetting and excessive or age-inappropriate responsibilities at home. Additionally, signs of sexual abuse, sexually inappropriate behaviors and/or sexually explicit language may manifest, as abuse victim advocacy group Safe Horizon points out.