The following indicators can be observed by community members as well as day care,
school, and law enforcement mandated reporters: |
Child is not
getting enough food | - Child appears malnourished
- Child begging, stealing food
- Consistently acts hungry or complains of hunger
- Constant fatigue, listlessness, falling asleep in class
|
Child appears
poorly cared for | - Has poor hygiene (skin, teeth, ears, hair)
- Is inappropriately dressed for the season
- Clothes are frequently dirty or torn
|
Lack of medical/
dental care | - Unattended physical problems or medical/dental needs
|
Lack of adult
supervision | - Child being left home alone without supervision, especially in dangerous activities or for long periods of time
- Child states there is no caretaker
- Extended stays at school; child arrives early and stays late
|
Child using
alcohol/drugs | - Child is consistently using alcohol and/or drugs
|
| Truancy from school | - Chronic pattern of child from 6 –16 years of age who is absent from school so often that the child will not pass the current grade
|
| Runaway behavior | - Child runs away from home
|
| Abandonment | - Child left without knowing where parent is or when parent will return
|
| The following indicators are conditions which must be diagnosed by health care providers and/or social services/mental health professionals who are mandated reporters: |
Child is showing
a delay in normal
development | - Failure to thrive – physically or emotionally
- Measurable lag in physical growth
- Measurable lag in mental/emotional development
|
Positive toxicology
(drug level) | - Especially in newborns
- Drug withdrawal symptoms, tremors, etc. in older children/teens
|
Behavioral
extremes | - Compliant/passive, overly adaptive behavior
- Aggressive behavior
- Overly adult or infantile for age
- Delinquency (e.g. child is stealing)
|
| Habit disorders | - Child sucking, biting, rocking, etc.
|
| Speech disorders | - Failure to develop speech, abnormal speech patterns
|
| Conduct disorders | - Antisocial and/or destructive behaviors
- Torturing or killing small animals
|
| Neurotic traits | - Includes sleep disorders, inhibition of play
|
| Suicide | - Threatened or attempted suicide
|
Psychoneurotic
reactions | - Includes hysteria, obsession, phobias, and compulsive behavior
|
