Important Points to Remember - Chapter 3

• Neglect is the failure to provide age-appropriate, needed care for a child.
• There are four categories of child neglect: physical neglect, medical neglect, emotional neglect and educational neglect.
• Child neglect is involved in approximately 78% of all substantiated cases of child abuse.
• Child neglect can have devastating effects on a child’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development.
• Children who have experienced neglect usually have developmental deficits.
• Children with chronically poor hygiene, improper clothing and poor medical care are probably being neglected.
• To be investigated, the neglect must not be attributable to a cultural or lifestyle choice.
• When reporting neglect, give specific dates and detailed information.
• Children who experience neglect often take on the role of caretaker of others, hider, scapegoat or provoker.
• Most neglectful mothers have mental health issues, are psychologically immature and have problems with social skills and problem solving.
• The majority of neglectful families lives in poverty, are single mothers and have a low educational level.
• Living in an environment of neglect can negatively affect a child’s IQ and cognitive potential.
• Families of generational poverty have family and societal rules that are different from school norms.
• A child living in poverty is seven times as likely to be abused or neglected as a child not living in poverty.
• Most parents who abuse alcohol or drugs neglect their children either physically or emotionally.
• We need to be aware of the barriers schools can create for families.
• A student’s physical and safety needs must be met before they are available to learn.
• Students who come from abusive or neglectful homes frequently have developmental lags.
• Students who come from abusive or neglectful homes may exhibit learning difficulties and deficits due to their early experiences.
• Teachers need to use clear communication skills with students who exhibit hyper-arousal.
• Teachers need to use a concrete mode of presentation and teach problem solving to students who have been abused or neglected.
• Teachers need to provide safe outlets for emotional nurturance in the classroom.
• You may have to use different discipline techniques with different students, depending on their previous life experiences and culture.
• Teaching social skills instruction to students prevents negative behaviors.
• Teachers can act in a supportive role for families after the report of abuse or neglect.  The school can offer many family and student services.
• Educators should collaborate with CPS and outside agencies in planning interventions with students and their families.
• Never talk to a child about potential court testimony.
• Educators should take an active role in the school and community in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
• All school staff need to be aware of how to protect themselves from potential child abuse allegations.
• Until society places our future generation first, we will continue with our existing family and societal problems.