Understanding Child Neglect: Types, Signs, and Diagnosis

Question
Would you be able to tell me the different kinds of neglect and what each one might consist of.  I am doing a English paper for college, and have been having a hard time trying to find information.  My topic is suppose to be the process of diagnosing a child with physical neglect, or if I was able to get more information I thought I would do the different kinds of neglect.

Answer
Hey Keli,

The big one is bruising.  Especially if the bruises are different colors.  Kids don't bruise that easily, and when they have bruises of different color, we should suspect abuse.

Having re-read the question, you asked about neglect.  Those symptoms are more difficult to discern because they are "negative symptoms."  That means that, rather than having outright, obvious physical signs, that they lack some elements that an age appropriate child would have.

Developmental delays are the hallmark.  They are just hard to detect.  But when a quiet child fails to read, or make friends, or does not show appropriate bonding to a caregiver, I suspect neglect.

When I do, which I admit, is not that often in this community, I call the social worker from our county.

You might get more specific answers asking someone from CPS or a pediatrician.

Good luck.  This is an important topic.  I would be very interested in reading your paper.

Dr. Tim