InBrief: The Science of Neglect
How Early Childhood Experiences Affect Lifelong Health and Learning
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image.jpg Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention 9
Child neglect is the most common type of
child maltreatment.1 Unfortunately, neglect
frequently goes unreported and, historically, has
not been acknowledged or publicized as greatly as
child abuse. Even professionals often have given
less attention to child neglect than to abuse.2 One
study found that caseworkers indicated that they
were least likely to substantiate referrals for neglect.3
In some respects, it is understandable why violence
against children has commanded more attention
than neglect. Abuse often leaves visible bruises and
scars, whereas the signs of neglect tend to be less
visible. However, the effects of neglect can be just as
detrimental. In fact, some studies have shown that
neglect may be more detrimental to childrens early
brain development than physical or sexual abuse.4
WHAT IS NEGLECT?
How neglect is defined shapes the response to it.
Since the goal of defining neglect is to protect children
and to improve their well-beingnot to blame the
parents or caregiversdefinitions help determine if an
incident or a pattern of behavior qualifies as neglect,
its seriousness or duration, and, most importantly,
whether or not the child is safe.5
Definitions of neglect vary among States and across
different disciplines, agencies, and professional groups
(e.g., child protective services, court systems, health
care providers), as well as among individuals within
these agencies and groups. The definitions also are
used for different purposes within the child welfare
field. For example, a medical doctor may view a
parent as neglectful if the parent repeatedly forgets
to give his child a prescribed medication. This may
or may not legally be considered neglect, however,
depending on the stringency of the neglect criteria of
many CPS agencies.6
Difficulty Defining Neglect
Defining neglect historically has been difficult to do,
leading to inconsistencies in policies, practice, and
research. Without a consistent definition of neglect,
it is nearly impossible to compare research results.
This inconsistency also leads to variability in the way
neglect cases are handled.7
The debate over a definition of neglect centers on a
lack of consensus in answering these questions:
What are the minimum requirements associated
with caring for a child?
What action or inaction by a parent or other
caregiver constitutes neglectful behavior?
Must the parents or caregivers action or inaction
be intentional?
What impact does the action or inaction have on
the health, safety, and well-being of the child?
CHAPTER 2
Definition and Scope
of Neglect
10 Definition and Scope of Neglect
What constitutes failure or inability to provide
adequate food, shelter, protection, or clothing?
Should failure or inability to protect be
included?
Is the action or inaction a result of poverty rather
than neglect?8
Additionally, what is considered neglect varies based
on the age and the developmental level of the child,
making it difficult to outline a set of behaviors that
are always considered neglect. For example, leaving
a child unattended for an hour is considered neglect
when the child is young, but not when the child
is a teenager. Another issue is that many neglect
definitions specify that omissions in care may result
either in risk of harm or in significant harm to
the child. While the 1996 reauthorization of the
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
(P.L. 104-235) narrowed the definition of child
maltreatment to cases where there has been actual
harm or an imminent risk of serious harm, these
terms often are not defined by law, leaving the local
CPS agencies to interpret them. This leads to a lack
of consistency in responding to families who may be
challenged to meet the basic needs of their children. 9
Definitions of Neglect
CAPTA, reauthorized again in the Keeping Children
and Families Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36), provides
minimum standards for defining child physical abuse,
neglect, and sexual abuse that States must incorporate
into their statutory definitions in order to receive
Federal funds. Under this Act, child maltreatment
is defined as:
Any recent act or failure to act on the part of
a parent or caregiver, which results in death,
serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse
or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which
presents an imminent risk of serious harm.10
A child under this definition generally means a
person who is under the age of 18 or who is not an
emancipated minor. In cases of child sexual abuse, a
child is one who has not attained the age of 18 or the
age specified by the child protection law of the State
in which the child resides, whichever is younger.11
Instances of neglect are classified as mild, moderate,
or severe.
Mild neglect usually does not warrant a report to
CPS, but might necessitate a community-based
intervention (e.g., a parent failing to put the child
in a car safety seat).
Moderate neglect occurs when less intrusive
measures, such as community interventions,
have failed or some moderate harm to the
child has occurred (e.g., a child consistently is
inappropriately dressed for the weather, such
as being in shorts and sandals in the middle
of winter). For moderate neglect, CPS may
be involved in partnership with community
support.
Severe neglect occurs when severe or long-term
harm has been done to the child (e.g., a child
with asthma who has not received appropriate
medications over a long period of time and is
frequently admitted to the hospital). In these
cases, CPS should be and is usually involved, as is
the legal system.12
Viewing the severity of neglect along this continuum
helps practitioners assess the strengths and weaknesses
of families and allows for the possibility of providing
preventive services before neglect actually occurs
or becomes severe. There is some controversy over
whether potential harm should be considered
neglect, and, as with the definition of neglect, State
laws vary on this issue. Although it is difficult to
assess potential harm as neglect, it can have emotional
as well as physical consequences, such as difficulty
establishing and maintaining current relationships or
those later in life.13
The seriousness of the neglect is determined not
only by how much harm or risk of harm there is to
the child, but also by how chronic the neglect is.
Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention 11
Chronicity can be defined as patterns of the same
acts or omissions that extend over time or recur over
time. 14 An example of chronic neglect would be
parents with substance abuse problems who do not
provide for the basic needs of their children on an
ongoing basis. On the other hand, caregivers might
have minor lapses in care, which are seldom thought
of as neglect, such as occasionally forgetting to give
their children their antibiotics.15 However, if those
children were frequently missing doses, it may be
considered neglect. Some situations only need to
occur once in order to be considered neglect, such as
leaving an infant unattended in a bathtub. Because
some behaviors are considered neglect only if they
occur on a frequent basis, it is important to look at
the history of behavior rather than focusing on one
particular incident.
TYPES OF NEGLECT
While neglect may be harder to define or to detect
than other forms of child maltreatment, child
welfare experts have created common categories of
neglect, including physical neglect; medical neglect;
inadequate supervision; environmental, emotional,
and educational neglect; and newborns addicted or
exposed to drugs, as well as some newly recognized
forms of neglect. The following sections give detailed
information on each of these types of neglect.
States definitions of neglect are usually located in mandatory child maltreatment reporting statutes (civil
laws), criminal statutes, or juvenile court jurisdiction statues. For more information about reporting laws,
visit the State Laws on Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect section of the Child Welfare Information Gateway
Web site at http://www.childwelfare.gov/laws_policies/state/reporting.cfm.
Framework for Neglect
Current theory on maltreatment views neglect from a socio-ecological perspective in which multiple factors
contribute to child abuse and neglect.16 From this perspective, one should consider not only the parents role, but
also the societal and environmental variables contributing to the parents inability to provide for the basic needs of the
child. 17 The socio-ecological model is valuable because it recognizes the shared responsibility among individuals,
families, communities, and society, thereby enabling a more constructive approach and targeting interventions on
multiple levels.18 Examples of factors to consider when looking at neglect from a socio-ecological perspective are
social isolation and poverty. For more information about factors related to child neglect, see Chapter 4, Risk and
Protective Factors.
It is important to keep in mind that not all incidents in which a person fails to provide for the basic needs for a
child are necessarily considered neglect. Factors relating to the parents health and well-being, such as mental illness,
substance abuse, or domestic violence, often contribute to neglect. Any intervention for neglect will need to consider
these factors as well.
Federal and State laws often assume that it is possible to determine clearly when parents have control over omissions
in care and when they do not. For example, children may be poorly fed because their parents are poor and are unable
to provide them with the appropriate type and amount of food. In such cases, it is important to identify factors that
may be contributing to this inability to provide, such as mental illness. However, when a family consistently fails
to obtain needed support or is unable to use information and assistance that is available, an intervention may be
required. Having a comprehensive understanding of what may contribute to neglect can help determine appropriate
interventions that address the basic needs of the child and family and also enhances professionals and communities
abilities to develop and to use interventions, regardless of CPS involvement.19
12 Definition and Scope of Neglect
Physical Neglect
Physical neglect is one of the most widely recognized
forms. It includes:
Abandonmentthe desertion of a child without
arranging for his reasonable care or supervision.
Usually, a child is considered abandoned when
not picked up within 2 days.
Expulsionthe blatant refusal of custody, such
as the permanent or indefinite expulsion of a child
from the home, without adequately arranging for
his care by others or the refusal to accept custody
of a returned runaway.
Shuttlingwhen a child is repeatedly left in the
custody of others for days or weeks at a time,
possibly due to the unwillingness of the parent or
the caregiver to maintain custody.
Nutritional neglectwhen a child is
undernourished or is repeatedly hungry for
long periods of time, which can sometimes be
evidenced by poor growth. Nutritional neglect
often is included in the category of other physical
neglect.
Clothing neglectwhen a child lacks appropriate
clothing, such as not having appropriately warm
clothes or shoes in the winter.
Other physical neglectincludes inadequate
hygiene and forms of reckless disregard for the
childs safety and welfare (e.g., driving while
intoxicated with the child, leaving a young child
in a car unattended).20
Medical Neglect
Medical neglect encompasses a parent or guardians
denial of or delay in seeking needed health care for a
child as described below:
Denial of health carethe failure to provide
or to allow needed care as recommended by a
competent health care professional for a physical
injury, illness, medical condition, or impairment.
The CAPTA amendments of 1996 and 2003
contained no Federal requirement for a parent to
provide any medical treatment for a child if that
treatment is against the parents religious beliefs.
However, CAPTA also designates that there
is no requirement that a State either find or be
prohibited from finding abuse or neglect in cases
where parents or legal guardians act in accordance
with their religious beliefs. While CAPTA
stipulates that all States must give authority to
CPS to pursue any legal actions necessary 1) to
ensure medical care or treatment to prevent or to
remedy serious harm to a child or 2) to prevent
the withholding of medically indicated treatment
from a child with a life-threatening condition
(except in the cases of withholding treatment
from disabled infants), all determinations will
be done on a case by case basis within the sole
discretion of each State.21
Delay in health carethe failure to seek timely
and appropriate medical care for a serious health
problem that any reasonable person would have
recognized as needing professional medical
attention. Examples of a delay in health care
include not getting appropriate preventive
Homelessness and Neglect
It is unclear whether homelessness should be considered neglect; some States specifically omit homelessness
by itself as neglect. Unstable living conditions can have a negative effect on children, and homeless
children are more at risk for other types of neglect in areas such as health, education, and nutrition.
Homelessness is considered neglect when the inability to provide shelter is the result of mismanagement
of financial resources or when spending rent resources on drugs or alcohol results in frequent evictions.22
Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention 13
medical or dental care for a child, not obtaining
care for a sick child, or not following medical
recommendations. Not seeking adequate mental
health care also falls under this category. A lack or
delay in health care may occur because the family
does not have health insurance. Individuals who
are uninsured often have compromised health
because they receive less preventive care, are
diagnosed at more advanced disease stages, and,
once diagnosed, receive less therapeutic care.23
Inadequate Supervision
Inadequate supervision encompasses a number of
behaviors, including:
Lack of appropriate supervision. Some States
specify the amount of time children at different
ages can be left unsupervised, and the guidelines
for these ages and times vary. In addition,
all children are different, so the amount of
supervision needed may vary by the childs age,
development, or situation. It is important to
evaluate the maturity of the child, the accessibility
of other adults, the duration and frequency of
unsupervised time, and the neighborhood or
environment when determining if it is acceptable
to leave a child unsupervised.24
Exposure to hazards. Examples of exposure to
in- and out-of-home hazards include:
Safety hazardspoisons, small objects,
electrical wires, stairs, drug paraphernalia;
Smokingsecond-hand smoke, especially
for children with asthma or other lung
problems;
Guns and other weaponsguns that are kept
in the house that are loaded and not locked
up or are in reach of children;
Unsanitary household conditionsrotting
food, human or animal feces, insect
infestation, or lack of running or clean
water;
Lack of car safety restraints.25
Inappropriate caregivers. Another behavior
that can fall under failure to protect is leaving
a child in the care of someone who either is
unable or should not be trusted to provide care
for a child. Examples of inappropriate caregivers
include a young child, a known child abuser, or
someone with a substance abuse problem.26
Other forms of inadequate supervision.
Additional examples of inadequate supervision
include:
Leaving a child with an appropriate caregiver,
but without proper planning or consent (e.g.,
not returning to pick up the child for several
hours or days after the agreed upon pick-
up time or not giving the caregiver all the
necessary items to take care of the child);
Leaving the child with a caregiver who is not
adequately supervising the child (e.g., the
caregiver is with the child, but is not paying
close attention to the child due to constantly
being distracted by other activities);
Permitting or not keeping the child from
engaging in risky, illegal, or harmful behaviors
(e.g., letting a child smoke marijuana).27
Another common but complex example is single,
working parents who are having difficulty arranging
for appropriate back-up child care when their regular
child care providers are unavailable. For example,
a mother may leave her child home alone when the
child care provider fails to show up. If the mother
does not go to work, she can lose her job and will
not be able to take care of her child. However, if she
leaves the child alone, she will be guilty of neglect. It
is important that parents in situations similar to this
receive adequate support so that they are not forced to
make these difficult decisions.
Environmental Neglect
Some of the characteristics mentioned above can
be seen as stemming from environmental neglect,
which is characterized by a lack of environmental
14 Definition and Scope of Neglect
or neighborhood safety, opportunities, or resources.
While childrens safety and protection from hazards are
major concerns for CPS, most attention focuses on the
conditions in the home and parental omissions in care.
A broad view of neglect incorporates environmental
conditions linking neighborhood factors with family
and individual functioning, especially since the
harmful impact of dangerous neighborhoods on
childrens development, mental health, and child
maltreatment has been demonstrated.28 CPS workers
should be aware of this impact on the family when
assessing the situation and developing case plans. For
example, they can help parents find alternative play
areas in a drug-infested neighborhood, rather than
have their children play on the streets.
Emotional Neglect
Typically, emotional neglect is more difficult to assess
than other types of neglect, but is thought to have
more severe and long-lasting consequences than
physical neglect.29 It often occurs with other forms
of neglect or abuse, which may be easier to identify,
and includes:
Inadequate nurturing or affectionthe
persistent, marked inattention to the childs needs
for affection, emotional support, or attention.
Chronic or extreme spouse abusethe
exposure to chronic or extreme spouse abuse or
other domestic violence.
Permitted drug or alcohol abusethe
encouragement or permission by the caregiver of
drug or alcohol use by the child.
Other permitted maladaptive behavior
the encouragement or permission of other
maladaptive behavior (e.g., chronic delinquency,
assault) under circumstances where the parent or
caregiver has reason to be aware of the existence
and the seriousness of the problem, but does not
intervene.
Isolationdenying a child the ability to interact
or to communicate with peers or adults outside
or inside the home.30
Educational Neglect
Although State statutes and policies vary, both parents
and schools are responsible for meeting certain
requirements regarding the education of children.
Types of educational neglect include:
Permitted, chronic truancypermitting
habitual absenteeism from school averaging at
least 5 days a month if the parent or guardian is
informed of the problem and does not attempt
to intervene.
Failure to enroll or other truancyfailing to
homeschool, to register, or to enroll a child of
mandatory school age, causing the child to miss
at least 1 month of school without valid reasons.
Inattention to special education needs
refusing to allow or failing to obtain recommended
remedial education services or neglecting to
obtain or follow through with treatment for a
childs diagnosed learning disorder or other special
education need without reasonable cause.31
Newborns Addicted or Exposed to Drugs
As of 2005, 24 States had statutory provisions
requiring the reporting of substance-exposed
newborns to CPS.32 Women who use drugs or alcohol
during pregnancy can put their unborn children at
risk for mental and physical disabilities. The number
of children prenatally exposed to drugs or to alcohol
each year is between 409,000 and 823,000.33 One
study showed that drug-exposed newborns constitute
as many as 72 percent of the babies abandoned in
hospitals.34 Another study found that 23 percent
of children prenatally exposed to cocaine were later
abused or neglected, compared with 3 percent who
were not prenatally exposed.35 To address the needs
of these children, the Keeping Children and Families
Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention 15
Safe Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-36, sec. 114(b)(1)(B))
mandated that States include the following in their
CAPTA plans:
(ii) Policies and procedures (including appropriate
referrals to child protection service systems and for
other appropriate services) to address the needs of
infants born and identified as being affected by illegal
substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting
from prenatal drug exposure, including a requirement
that health care providers involved in the delivery or
care of such infants notify the child protective services
system of the occurrence of such condition of such
infants, except that such notification shall not be
construed to
(I) establish a definition under Federal law of
what constitutes child abuse; or
(II) require prosecution for any illegal action.
(iii) The development of a plan of safe care for the
infant born and identified as being affected by illegal
substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms;
(iv) Procedures for the immediate screening, risk
and safety assessment, and prompt investigation
of such reports.
SIGNS OF POSSIBLE NEGLECT
It can be difficult to observe a situation and to know
for certain whether neglect has occurred. Behaviors
and attitudes indicating that a parent or other adult
caregiver may be neglectful include if he or she:
Appears to be indifferent to the child;
Seems apathetic or depressed;
Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner;
Abuses alcohol or drugs;
Denies the existence of or blames the child for
the childs problems in school or at home;
Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or
burdensome;
Looks to the child primarily for care, attention,
or satisfaction of emotional needs.36
Indicators of neglect are more likely to be visible in
the appearance or behavior of the child. Mandatory
reporters and concerned individuals should consider
reporting possible neglect if they notice that a child:
Methamphetamine Use and Child Maltreatment
In addition to the problem of prenatal drug use, the rise in methamphetamine abuse also has had a
strong impact on child maltreatment. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales recently proclaimed in
terms of damage to children and to our society, meth is now the most dangerous drug in America. 37
Children whose parents use methamphetamine are at a particularly high risk for abuse and neglect.
Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive drug, and individuals who use it can experience serious
health and psychiatric conditions, including memory loss, aggression, violence, psychotic behavior, and
potential coronary and neurological damage.38 The drug is relatively easy to make, exposing many children
of methamphetamine users to the additional risks of living in or near a methamphetamine lab. In 2003,
3,419 children either were residing in or visiting a methamphetamine lab that was seized, and 1,291
children were exposed to toxic chemicals in these labs.39 For more information on this epidemic, go to
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press05/meth_factsheet.
16 Definition and Scope of Neglect
Wears soiled clothing or clothing that is
significantly too small or large or is often in need
of repair;
Seems inadequately dressed for the weather;
Always seems to be hungry; hoards, steals, or begs
for food; or comes to school with little food;
Often appears listless and tired with little energy;
Frequently reports caring for younger siblings;
Demonstrates poor hygiene, smells of urine or
feces, or has dirty or decaying teeth;
Seems emaciated or has a distended stomach
(indicative of malnutrition);
Has unattended medical or dental problems, such
as infected sores;
States that there is no one at home to provide
care.40
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect
Data System (NCANDS), in 2004, an estimated three
million referrals were made to CPS, representing 5.5
million children. From this population, approximately
872,000 children were found to be victims of
maltreatment, and 64.5 percent of these children were
neglected. In comparison, 18 percent of maltreated
children were physically abused, 10 percent were
sexually abused, and 7 percent were psychologically
maltreated. Additionally, 15 percent of victims were
associated with other types of maltreatment, such as
abandonment or congenital drug addiction. A child
could be identified as a victim of more than one type
of maltreatment.41
From 2000 to 2004, the rates of neglect were nearly
stable. In 2004, approximately 7.4 out of every 1,000
children in the general population were reported as
being neglected. Medical neglect is listed separately,
but it also has experienced nearly stable rates,
fluctuating between 0.5 children per 1,000 in 2000
and 0.3 children per 1,000 in 2004.42 Exhibit 2-1
shows the victimization rate by maltreatment type
from 2000 to 2004.
However, according to the Third National Incidence
Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-3), less
than one-third of child abuse and neglect cases are
reported to CPS.43 Data from NIS-3 show that
the rates of child neglect may be even higher than
noted in the NCANDS data, with 13.1 children
per 1,000 being neglected.44 Within the category
of neglect, physical neglect was the most commonly
occurring type and included abandonment; medical
neglect; inadequate nutrition, clothing, or hygiene;
and leaving a young child unattended in a motor
vehicle.45
Mandatory Reporters
Mandatory reporters are individuals who are required by law to report cases of suspected child abuse or
neglect. They can face criminal and civil liability for not doing so. In approximately 18 States, anyone
who suspects child abuse or neglect is considered a mandatory reporter.46 In most States, mandatory
reporters are required to make a report immediately upon having suspicion or knowledge of an abusive
or neglectful situation. This initial report may be made orally to either CPS or a law enforcement agency.
Examples of individuals who typically are listed as mandatory reporters include physicians, social workers,
educators, mental health professionals, child care providers, medical examiners, and police. Every State
has statutes that specify procedures for mandatory reporters to follow when making a report of child
abuse or neglect. For more information about State laws regarding mandatory reporters, see http://www.
childwelfare.gov/laws_policies/state/reporting.cfm.
Child Neglect: A Guide for Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention 17
Exhibit 2-1
Victimization Rates by Maltreatment Type, 2000200447
Spotlight on Chronic Neglect
One issue in defining child neglect involves consideration of incidents of neglect versus a pattern of
behavior that indicates neglect. Susan J. Zuravin, Ph.D., at the University of Maryland at Baltimore
School of Social Work, recommends that if some behaviors occur in a chronic pattern, they should be
considered neglectful. Examples include lack of supervision, inadequate hygiene, and failure to meet a
childs educational needs. This suggests that rather than focusing on individual incidents that may or
may not be classified as neglectful, one should look at an accumulation of incidents that may together
constitute neglect.
In most CPS systems, however, the criteria for identifying neglect focus on recent, distinct, verifiable
incidents. Dr. Zuravin notes that if CPS focuses only on the immediate allegation before them and not
the pattern reflected in multiple referrals, then many neglected children will continue to be inappropriately
excluded from the CPS system. 48 For example, a family exhibiting a pattern of behavior that may
constitute neglect might have frequent CPS reports of not having enough food in the home or keeping
older children home from school to watch younger children. However, since each individual report may
not be considered neglect, the family may not receive the appropriate support or be served by the CPS
system. Additionally, many definitions of neglect that address chronicity do not identify what it means
(e.g., What does frequent reports of not having enough food in the home mean? Twice per week? Twice
per month?). This may prevent CPS caseworkers from consistently applying the child maltreatment laws
in these cases.
One study found that many children who had been referred to CPS for neglect did not receive services
because their cases did not meet the criteria for neglect. It found, however, that all of these children had,
in fact, suffered severe developmental consequences. In recognition of this issue, the Missouri Division
of Family Services assigned one of its CPS staff as a chronic neglect specialist and defined chronic neglect
as a persistent pattern of family functioning in which the caregiver has not sustained and/or met the
basic needs of the children, which results in harm to the child.49 The focus here was on the accumulation
of harm. CPS and community agencies are recognizing the importance of early intervention and
service provision to support families so that neglect does not become chronic or lead to other negative
consequences.50 For more information on this topic, see Acts of Omission: An Overview of Child Neglect at
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/focus/acts.
2.4
7.3
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18 Definition and Scope of Neglect
Recurrence
Recurrence of child abuse and neglect remains a very
serious problem. It has been shown that subsequent
referrals of maltreatment are most often for neglect
(and, specifically, lack of supervision), regardless
of the type of maltreatment in the initial referral.51
These findings highlight the need to screen for neglect
and to provide preventive services where needed, not
just for those cases initially identified as neglect.52 It is
important to know the extent to which children who
have been in contact with CPS are victims of repeat
maltreatment in order to protect them and to prevent
its recurrence.53
Through the Child and Family Services Reviews
(CFSRs), which are a results-oriented, comprehensive
monitoring system designed to assist States in
improving outcomes for the children and families they
serve, the Childrens Bureau set a national standard for
recurrence of maltreatment, which is measured using
NCANDS data. The percent of States that met the
national standard increased fro
SHOW MORE…
discussions
see attachments.
Part 1. Main Entry:Post a brief analysisof what you have learned from this weeks readings and activities. Start a new thread, and place the header –Name’s Main Entry (e.g.,
Ricks Main Entry)at the top. Within the body of your post, clearly identify each segment of the required response in order to facilitate discussion development.
a.
This weeks great takeaway:What concept or theory did you find most interesting this week? Why?
b.Diagnostic labels:As you read the chapters on childhood, you may notice that the process of diagnosing andlabeling children is changing. Both labels of autismand fetal alcohol syndrome have now been replaced with autism spectrum disorders and fetalalcohol spectrum disorders, respectively.
1) What thoughts to you have on why these changes have occurred?
2) What impactdoes labeling a child with a diagnosis have on that child? What are the advantages, disadvantages, and consequences? Support this element of your discussion by posting an article, blog page, video, or other informational resource.
Part 2. Post Constructive Peer Feedback:In addition to posting your thoughts to the main entry questions, respond to at leastTWO(2) of your classmates entries. In 3 or more sentences, provide constructive feedback. Do you have some additional thoughts on the topic? Share them. When providing your feedback present the logic behind it.
Classmate 1:
a. I was very excited to learn all about lifespan development during the childhood stage since this is the age group that I want to work with as a school counselor. The concepts that I found most interesting this week were found on the page titled “Learning and Intelligence.” I thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning all about the controversies over testing in schools, the different theories of intelligence, and the world of school from different perspectives. It was specifically interesting to read about the politics in the school system and the studies conducted by Lareau and Horvat (2004).
b. I believe that these changes have occurred due to there being many different disorders being discovered under the more broad categories of the autism spectrum disorders and the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. For example, Asperger’s Syndrome falls under the ASD category, but it is a milder form of ASD, and there are more severe cases of ASD as well (Lumen, 2020). It is not fair to associate every child that possesses symptoms of autism as simply just “autistic,” we have developed different disorders and levels of autism and fetal alcohol syndrome to accommodate all of the disorders that may emerge from these diagnoses.
The impacts of labeling a child with these diagnoses can be life-altering. As mentioned in the text, a child’s difficulties can change over time and they may improve or their delays during their school years may not be relevant during adulthood but these labels will still follow them for the rest of their life. Not to mention, it may contribute to low self-esteem and lack of confidence. One article from Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall discusses the advantages and disadvantages of labeling students with learning disabilities. Some of the advantages, according to Henley et al. (n.d.) include: the development of specialized teaching methods, assessment approaches, and behavioral interventions and federal and local funding for special education programs. Some of the disadvantages are that students are unable to receive these special education services without being labeled, labeling comes with blame and guilt not only for the student but for the parents as well, there is questionable validity and reliability for evaluation across different states putting some students at a disadvantage and causing overrepresentation for some.
References:
Lumen. (2020). Lifespan Development.Lumen Learning.
Henley, M., Ramsey, R. S., and Algozzine, R. F. (n.d.). Labeling and disadvantages of labeling.Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall.
http://people.uncw.edu/robertsonj/SEC210/Labeling.pdf
Classmate 2:
This weeks great takeaway:What concept or theory did you find most interesting this week? Why?
The concept of concrete operational by Piaget discusses the act of children continue to learn through symbolically to extend logical and problem solving. Even though children might not fully understand observation and become nave from realization. The reading uses an example of a child observing her friends as rude which classified that all her friends as rude (Lumen,2020). The child uses inductive reasoning to group her friends with one characteristic of rudeness. However, as children develop, they began to distinguish between factual vs nonfactual concept using deductive reasoning effectively (Lumen, 2020).
1) What thoughts to you have on why these changes have occurred?
I appreciate the change to reduce stigma for children to receive accurate treatment to identify areas of diagnosis. I believe that the DSM 5 has recognized the changes in complex interventions so redefine provides accuracy in treatment planning.
2) I used to work as a case manager where I attended IEP meetings with families to coordinate academic with therapeutic services to promote wraparound approach. The IEP process provide an educational and psychological scope of the childs limitation to perform effectively in the classroom. IEP team use feedback from family history, medical, teachers, case manager/social worker and psychologist to generate a data report to conclude a diagnosis. The important factor is to reduce misdiagnosis, underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis to ensure that the child receive the proper educational placement and in school supports. Ive observed schools that acknowledge the factor domains where the child receives recommended benefits in occupational therapy, counseling, speech, teacher aid support base of the diagnostic. The child was able to receive support from an effective IEP assessment to extend educational value. On the hand, I observed IEP meeting where data wasnt congruent with the childs background which provided misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. As a result, the parent requested a amend IEP assessment to petition accurate educational planning which delay the implementation of supportive services. I learned when parents dont understand their rights or acknowledge concerns prior to signing the IEP it delays in school supports. I also coordinate families with SPAN educational advocacy program to participate in meetings to ensure parents understand the process.
Lumen Learning (2020).Lifespan development.Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcWWuFQAfFI Selectthreeof the following concepts. Describe the concept in detail and provide an example.
The overconfidence phenomenon
The framing effect
The discounting of base-rate information
The availability heuristic
Illusory correlations
Illusions of control
Perceiving order in random sequences
Belief perseverance
Hindsight bias
Self-serving bias
Mood effects on memories and judgments
Ingroup bias