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Abuse And Neglect

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Child Abuse and Neglect: Implications for Speech, Language, and Communication Development
Child maltreatment is a prominent issue in the United States. It is comprised of four fundamental categories: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse and neglect. The federal government has a basic definition of child maltreatment which includes minimal criteria stating that child abuse and neglect is “any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, 2010).” The definition issued by the federal government …show more content…

However, physical discipline, including spanking, performed on a child by a parent, guardian or custodian in a reasonable manner shall not be deemed abuse under this section. A neglected child is considered to be a child whose parent, guardian or custodian or any person responsible for his care or support, neglects or refuses, when able so to do, to provide for him proper and necessary care or support, or education as required by law, or medical, surgical, or other care necessary for his well-being; however, a parent who withholds medical treatment from any child who in good faith is under treatment by spiritual means alone through prayer in accordance with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner thereof shall not, for that reason alone, be considered to be neglectful under any provision of this chapter; or who is otherwise without proper care, custody, supervision or support; or who, for any reason, lacks the special care made necessary for him by reason of his mental condition, whether …show more content…

The longer the duration or increased severity of abuse and neglect determines consequences on the child’s developing neurocognitive and psychological systems (Nelson, 2010, p. 199). The Fourth National Incidence Study of Abuse and Neglect, when compared to previous year’s data, reports that child maltreatment has generally declined. In addition, it was reported that child maltreatment was evident in 1.25 million children with neglect (61%) being more prominent than abuse (44%). Child maltreatment rates were more prevalent in the following: African Americans than Caucasians and Hispanics, children who have an unemployed parent, children who live in a low socioeconomic household, children whose parents have a live-in partner (unmarried), children who live in a larger family household, and children who live in rural areas (Sedlak, 2010, pp.

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