9 warning signs of child neglect

9 warning signs of child neglect

Parents and caregivers play an important role in children’s lives by helping them cope with emotions and manage behavior. This is because children often emulate the adults around them. The kind of care that children receive plays a functional role in their development and how they interact with others. Certain situations at home, such as neglect, can impact a child’s behavior. Some common behavioral issues and warning signs that point toward child neglect are discussed below:

1. Frequent emotional outbursts
Children can often be irritable in certain situations. However, it is not the same reaction as that of those who have been neglected. It is natural for children to get cranky when they cannot express what’s bothering them. That said, children who face neglect from their parents or caregivers can become volatile and struggle to regulate their emotions. They might take out their anger on teachers, friends, and peers. Children who are neglected may also find it difficult to connect with their peers and communicate effectively. 

2. Absenteeism or drop in academic performance
Emotionally neglected children might also be frequently absent from school. Or, they might have a hard time trying to pay attention and focus in school. This could be due to a lack of a proper sleep schedule.

Popular Articles

01

Child neglect – Common signs and ways to deal with them

Childhood emotional neglect occurs when a child’s basic emotional requirements are not adequately met by their caregivers. Sometimes, emotional neglect also happens when other needs, such as proper clothing, food, education, and healthcare, are not sufficiently provided.  This  can cause distress and harm to the child.  To help a child suffering from emotional neglect , it is important to recognize the various signs and learn effective ways to deal with them. Common signs of childhood emotional neglect Childhood emotional neglect can manifest due to physical as well as emotional needs not being met. Some of the common signs are: Drastic changes in behavior A child undergoes extreme changes in their behavior when they experience emotional and physical neglect over a long time, such as for several months or years. For instance, a child with a naturally exuberant personality may become sad or disinterested in things they once enjoyed. They may withdraw and isolate themselves, refusing to socialize with their peers. Some may even become extremely clingy to a parent/caregiver. Some children may exhibit aggressive or obsessive behaviors. Often, childhood emotional neglect can lead to paranoia, anxiety, and depression in some cases. In severe cases, children may develop antisocial behavior as a result of prolonged neglect.
Read More
02

Spotting Early Warning Signs of Autism in Children

Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that can affect socialization and range in severity from person to person. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in 44 children is on the autistic spectrum today. While there is no explained cause for autism yet, experts generally believe that it results from environmental and genetic factors, such as premature birth, low birth weight, delivery complications, geriatric pregnancies, etc. Developmental milestones in children To be able to recognize the early warning signs of autism in children, it is important to know the important developmental milestones they need to achieve by a certain age. According to the CDC, these are the milestones that most children between the age of six months to four years tend to achieve: By 6 months, children generally begin to respond to their own name, respond to people’s emotions, and often seem happy, copy sounds, and enjoy playing with others, especially their parents. By the time children are 12 months old, they are generally able to use simple gestures such as shaking their head “no” or waving at others, saying simple words like “mama” and “dada,” playing games like peek-a-boo, and responding to simple spoken requests.
Read More
03

7 warning signs of RSV in children

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that causes common cold-like symptoms. Generally, it affects those with weakened immunities, such as infants and older adults, more than others. Although people with this condition recover from it within a week or two, it can become dangerous for individuals with compromised immune systems. For children especially, people must sense certain warning signs of this condition at an early stage. Here are a few warning signs: Runny nose RSV is known to cause inflammation in a child’s upper respiratory tract which consists of the nose and throat. Children with early-stage RSV will have an excessive amount of mucus produced in their bodies, causing them to blow their noses every now and again. Like many other symptoms of RSV, this one also closely resembles those related to a common cold. Decreased appetite The cold-like symptoms of RSV make it difficult for children to taste and smell food components properly. Additionally, the virus also tends to block kids’ throats with an excessive amount of phlegm. This causes them to have great difficulty not only in eating, drinking, and swallowing meals and drinks, but also completely takes away their sensory enjoyment of all foods. As a result, children with RSV will slowly experience a progressive reduction of appetite.
Read More