Handout

Indicators of Neglect

Physical Indicators

Children who are being neglected may look undernourished and lethargic or show other signs of inadequate food or sleep. If they are medically neglected, they may show untreated injuries or evidence of unattended illness. Failure to obtain timely medical care can allow injuries to worsen or allow deterioration of health. Lack of supervision can result in a child's death (e.g., drowning in a bucket/tub/pool, being hit by a car).

Behavioral Indicators

• Begging for or stealing food because of persistent hunger
• Noticeably poor hygiene
• Inappropriate dress for the weather
• Accidents and injuries
• Risky adolesent behavior
• Promiscuity, drugs, and delinquency
• Being shunned by peers
• Clinging behavior
• Poor ability to relate to others

Emotional Indicators

• Poor self-esteem
• Attachment difficulties
• Emotional neediness
• Social problems; reduced pro-social behaviors
• Difficulty setting personal boundaries
• Inability to say “no” to inappropriate requests (related to neediness for attention)
• Impaired initiative

Cognitive/Developmental/Academic Indicators

• Excessive absences
• Lack of learned self-discipline
• Inability to apply self to a task
• Poor grades
• Learning difficulties