It is not just physical abuse that can affect and damage developing brains in children. According to recent findings, emotional abuse and neglect can also have an impact on how a child’s brain develops, leaving them more likely to have learning and emotional disabilities, as they grow older. Early Childhood Affects On The Brain A neurologist from the University of California, Los Angles recently released brain scans of two 2-year old children who both came from very different home environments. One child came from a loving home while the other had been exposed to neglect and abuse. The results of the scan showed that the abused child had an under-developed brain in areas that would affect how the child learned and functioned, even into adulthood. The effects of abuse and neglect on child brain development have been studied before. It is thought that environmental factors in a child’s early development… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: child abuse
Lawsuit Filed Against Babysitting Facility Where Toddler Was Abused
Posted in Day Care AccidentsA civil lawsuit was recently filed against the operator of a babysitting facility in the Chicagoland after law enforcement officials determined that abuse from a caregiver caused the child’s death. The lawsuit claims that the operator of the babysitting facility was negligent in failing to provide proper supervision of staff and failing to provide timely medical care for the injured child. After an exhaustive investigation by the medical examiners office, forensic evidence established that the 20-month-old girl was hit with great force several times by the caregiver on August 31, 2009. Four days later, the child died from multiple injuries including: cranio cerebral injuries, blunt head trauma and child abuse. Presently, the caregiver is in the custody of the Cook County Sheriff as he waits a trial date for his murder chargers. Home-based care for children Home-based day care is an increasingly popular care arrangement for children. In Illinois, home-based… Continue Reading
Help For Abused Children Is Out There– You Just Need To Know Where To Look
Posted in Community NewsAs a parent, I really cringe when I hear about a child being abused by anyone. Unfortunately, children remain prime targets for physical, mental and sexual abuse perpetrated in diverse settings. In order for us to help child abuse victims, we first must acknowledge its existence and then begin to understand how and where it occurs. 1) ChildHelp http://www.childhelp.org This non-profit helps victims of child abuse and neglect. It is an international agency which fosters children to work through their abuse and neglect. 2) Child Abuse Effects http://www.child-abuse-effects.com/child-abuse-effects-blog.html Written by Darlene Barriere, a child abuse survivor, she keeps up to date with new child abuse stories, tales of recovery and articles on child abuse. 3) Child Abuse Survivor http://www.childabusesurvivor.net/wordpress/ A blog written by a male survivor of child abuse. He blogs about what it is like to live as a survivor in his adult life and the challenges he faces…. Continue Reading
Reporting Child Abuse: Not Just The Right Thing To Do– But Also The Law
Posted in Day Care Accidents, Foster Care Abuse, Sexual AbuseIn many situations, a child may be unable or unwilling to report their own abuse or neglect. Therefore, it is important that the network of adults in a child’s life are vigilant advocates, giving abused children a voice. A child may not report abuse because they cannot talk, do not understand what is happening, are afraid, or have no one to talk to. That is why there are mandated reporters, people and professions who have a legal requirement to report child abuse or neglect to the State. Many times, these people are in the best position to recognize signs of possible abuse (325 ILCS 5/4; 720 ILCS 5/11-20.2). Mandated reporters of child abuse include: Doctors Nurses Teachers Social workers Psychologists Police officers Members of the clergy Child care personnel. If a mandated reporter fails to report suspected abuse, they can face disciplinary action (325 ILCS 5/4). These are not the… Continue Reading
Researchers Provide Hope For Children Suffering From Traumatic Brain Injuries
Posted in Brain Injury (TBI)Almost 500,000 children suffer from traumatic brain injuries every year in the United States. These injuries are among the leading causes of death or long-term neurologic impairments in the young. About 18% of all traumatic brain related emergency room visits involve children ages zero to four years old. Traumatic brain injuries are the result of trauma or a blow to the head. Depending on the extent of the damage and the area affected, these injuries can vary greatly. Consequences can include changes affecting thinking, learning, behavior, emotions, language, and sensations. In some aspects, it can be difficult to determine the extent of a childhood brain injury because it is more difficult to measure the loss of brain function in a child compared to an adult. For adults, doctors can reference prior academic records, IQ scores, and job histories. In addition, some aspects of child brain injury may not become… Continue Reading
Preventing Institutional Child Abuse By Carefully Selecting A Facility
Posted in Day Care Accidents, Foster Care AbuseChildren, like the elderly, are a vulnerable group that requires oversight, protection, and regulations to protect them. (See “Children in Day Care Are Susceptible to Many of the Same Problems Our Elderly Nursing Home Patients Encounter”) Choosing a Child Care Provider When choosing a child care facility, there are a number of factors to keep in mind. It is important to find a high-quality facility, where you feel your children are receiving the best care and attention. (Trust Your Instinct When Placing a Child in Daycare with Potential Hazards) When you visit potential child care centers, you should look for: A positive and safe environment Good communication between the parents and staff Long-term caregivers with experience or training in child development A small caregiver to child ratio, to ensure that your child receives proper attention The group, Child Care Aware, lists five recommendations when choosing a child care facility: Start… Continue Reading
$10 Million Settlement For Child Abused By Foster Parent Demonstrates Lapses In Oversight System
Posted in Foster Care AbuseA significant settlement in a foster care abuse lawsuit demonstrated the defects in regulatory system meant to protect vulnerable children and infants. The lawsuit was brought on behalf of a 5-year-old boy who was placed into the foster care system after his birth mother was deemed unfit to care for the baby by her family. From the time the boy was placed in the custody of his foster mother, he was repeatedly physically abused by the woman. An ancillary criminal trial of the foster mother demonstrated that repeated episodes of physical abuse resulted in a permanent brain injury to the boy. At issue in the civil lawsuit against the District of Columbia, was the poor judgment of the regulatory agency that was responsible for ensuring the safety and health of children placed into a foster care setting. In this case, the Child and Family Services Agency failed to identify tell-tale… Continue Reading