Checklist of Possible Indicators of Abuse and Neglect - Preventing and Reporting Child Abuse

Neglect: Combined Physical and Behavioral Indicators
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