NCJ Number
52602
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
IN THIS FILM A SOCIAL SERVICE WORKER, A COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE, A PEDIATRICIAN, AND A NURSERY SCHOOL TEACHER HOLD AN INITIAL CONFERENCE ON A SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASE AND OUTLINE A POTENTIAL FAMILY TREATMENT PLAN.
Abstract
MEMBERS OF THE PANEL DISCUSS THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THE 3-YEAR OLD CHILD'S BEHAVIOR AND REPORTED INJURIES, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHILD AND HIS MOTHER, AND THE HISTORY OF THE CHILD'S INJURIES. MANY WARNING SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE ARE IDENTIFIED IN THIS CASE; THE CHILD IS HABITUALLY WITHDRAWN, CANNOT INTERACT WITH OTHER CHILDREN, AND DEMANDS ATTENTION FROM THE TEACHERS. THE MOTHER IS OVERANXIOUS ABOUT THE CHILD'S SPEECH PROBLEMS, OVERPROTECTIVE, AND RESTRICTS THE CHILD UNNECESSARILY. THE FAMILY WAS UNDER UNUSUAL STRESS AT THE TIME OF THE CHILD'S INJURIES BECAUSE THE FATHER HAD LOST HIS JOB. THE INJURIES WERE VARIOUS BRUISES ABOUT THE BODY THAT THE MOTHER ALLEGED RESULTED FROM A FALL DOWN THE STAIRS. THE GROUP ARRANGES TO MEET AT A LATER DATE AFTER THE SOCIAL WORKER HAS MET WITH THE CHILD'S PARENTS. THEY DISCUSS POSSIBLE TREATMENT FOR THE FAMILY INCLUDING FAMILY COUNSELING, ENCOURAGING THE MOTHER TO JOIN A GROUP OF MOTHERS WHO REGULARLY DISCUSS CHILDREARING PROBLEMS, AND TESTING THE CHILD FOR MENTAL AND SPEECH PROBLEMS THAT WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY PRESCRIPTIVE LEARNING ROUTINE. (DAG)