altered school performance;
THE JOB IS TO REPLY WITH A COMMENT TO EACH POST, POST 1 AND POST 2. WITH 2 COMPLETED (EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE) includidig retrival or doi, IN APA WITH CITATION ABOVE 2013 PER COMMENT.
POST 1
Child abuse places a lifetime mental health burden on individuals affected by these experiences. A mental health professional ability to screen and recognize a history of child abuse is essential in providing adequate care. Al Odhayani, Watson, & Watson (2013), agreed that child abuse has serious consequences for child development and family health throughout the life cycle, and it might be detected during the visit. While universal screening is not recommended, a healthcare provider should be aware of the various presentations and sequelae of child abuse so that that appropriate intervention can be instituted. Many abuse survivors are ashamed of having been victims of childhood physical, emotional, or sexual abuse and may feel that the abuse was self-induced. Screening and assessment, therefore, should be designed to reduce the threat of humiliation and blame and should be done in a safe, non-threatening environment.
Furthermore, Al Odhayani, Watson, & Watson (2013), explained that a child’s behavior is an outward manifestation of inner stability and security. It is a lens through which the healthcare provider can observe the development of the child throughout his or her life. Clinicians need to be aware of and alert to the indicators of child abuse and neglect so that appropriate interventions can be provided to improve outcomes for those children.
Al Odhayani, Watson, & Watson (2013), noted that disclosure is the most apparent indication of sexual abuse. Age-inappropriate sexual behavior or excessively sexualized behavior might be an indicator of abuse. Indirect signs can include any of the following:
acting out (with aggression or anger);
withdrawal;
regression;
fears, phobias, and anxiety;
sleep disturbance or nightmares;
changes in eating habits;
altered school performance;
mood disturbances;
enuresis or encopresis;
running away;
self-destructive behavior; or
antisocial behavior (eg, lying, stealing, cruelty to animals, fire-setting)
As a mental health provider, detailed history taking and non-verbal clues such as indirect signs an essential in assessing for a history of child abuse.
