When to Report Child Abuse

Reporting child abuse of any kind is certainly a difficult topic. Identifying what passes for abuse can be an even harder one. I have heard stories in the past where a care giver was unsure if what they were seeing constituted “abuse”, so the abuse went unreported. Another reason why abuse may go unreported, is because a family may be trying to protect the perpetrator who happens to be another family member.
Understanding why its important to advocate for children, especially in abuse situations will be helpful in reframing your views on reporting child abuse and child advocacy. Children often lack the ability to advocate for themselves due to emotional and psychological development. When abuse happens in a child’s life it interrupts their emotional and cognitive development. Children are often placed in situations and scenarios they don’t understand, because a parent or caregiver forced them there and by forced, I mean did not factor in their opinion on the matter. Abuse in a child’s life leads to a higher probability that they will have anxiety, depression and possibly other psychiatric symptoms. So understanding that children are unable to advocate for themselves in ways that adults are, should help in changing your perspective on early reporting.
Secondly, understand that when you report you are being protective and preemptive. You are saying, “No” I will not allow this child to be abused anymore” and you then are stepping between the child and perpetrator and helping to prevent future abuse. I understand that many think and believe that if you report abuse to CPS, they will come and take the children away. CPS looks at every case individually. They examine the severity of the abuse, the duration, the type of abuse, the age of those involved, how long people knew the abuse was occurring, etc. CPS wants to make sure that the child is being protected from those who seek to use and abuse them to meet their needs. That is why they exist.

Third, it’s important to understand the different types of abuse that are looked at. According to the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services there are 6 major areas of child abuse and neglect:

1. Physical Abuse
1. Nonaccidental physical injury, ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death
2. Sexual abuse
1. Includes activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.
3. Emotional abuse
1. Also known as psychological abuse
2. A pattern of behavior that impairs a child’s emotional development or sense of self-worth
4. Neglect
1. Failure to provide for physical needs (e.g. food, shelter, supervision, etc,)
2. Failure to provide medical care (medical or mental health treatment)
3. Failure to educate a child or attend to special education needs
4. Failure to provide psychological care, inattention to a child’s emotional needs and or permitting the child to use alcohol or drugs
5. Abandonment
1. A child is considered to be abandoned when a parents’ identity or whereabouts is unknown.
2. Abandonment is a form of neglect
6. Substance abuse
1. Prenatal use of harmful or illicit drugs
2. Manufacturing of drugs in the presence of a child
3. Selling or giving drugs to a child
4. Use of a controlled substance by a caregiver that impairs the caregiver’s ability to adequately care for the child.

You and your kid may not have experienced the above situations, but there are situations that cause parents to ask, “Is this abuse?” and “Should I report it?” I understand your hesitation, especially when the behavior that may be considered abuse is not black and white and doesn’t fit the above definitions. Ask a mental health professional. Take a course in understanding abuse and the signs of abuse. Call CPS and report what you know or suspect. By reporting early, you are ensuring that the child will no longer undergo further abuse, you are advocating for the child’s development emotionally and cognitively and you are helping to potentially decrease the possibility of the child having severe mental health issues later in life.

The bottom line is child abuse is destructive. Children can’t advocate for themselves. Reporting is important. Do not be the person that protects the abuser at the cost of the child.
Early reporting helps the abused and it helps the abuser.

If you would like to read further, check out the link:

https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/whatiscan.pdf#page=1&view=Introduction

Christian Bringolf MA LMHC

My goal is to always write from the heart and to incorporate professional knowledge and personal conviction. I have been very passionate and determined to write as much as I can on anxiety when it comes to the Christian faith. This picture of someone having a theology like a vending machine has been something that I have been thinking on for sometime. It hasn't been until now that I have been able to make a connection with that illustration and the very real issue of anxiety.


What do we know of vending machines? They're big metal boxes located in convenient places with a variety of snacks that are a quick fix and will temporarily fill you up. Provided you have the money, you usually have at least 10 different options to choose from. The commitment and price is low enough for many people to not think twice about purchasing a candy bar or bag of chips. After all, it's like what....a $1.25-$1.50 for chips. Nothing that's going to break the bank or cost you lots of time.


What do we know about anxiety? Anxiety can happen for many reasons which include divorce, drug use, abuse, chemical imbalances, improper body functioning, death of a loved one, loss of a job, etc. Anxiety can create feelings of despair, worry, hopelessness, thoughts of suicide. Anxiety can push people into isolation and loneliness. Often times good professional counseling and medication are required for stabilization.


So how does a vending machine and anxiety connect? Helping someone with anxiety, chronic anxiety is tough and there are no easy answers. It takes commitment and sacrifice. Unfortunately, many Christians adopt a "vending machine" approach to helping the person with anxiety. It is easy to give a verse out, pat yourself on the back and say,


"I did my Christian duty. If they don't change it's because they don't want to and aren't trusting Jesus enough."


Vending machine theology doesn't require heavy commitment. It requires minimal understanding of who Christ is, doesn't cost a lot in time and won't be all that sacrificial. This theological approach is not dissimilar from believing in magic tricks. Just say the magic words and you'll get the desired outcome and if no change happens, blame it on the individual you are carelessly throwing verses at. This approach is lazy, unkind, lacks grace and any understanding of what anxiety is and what the person with anxiety is going through.


As a believer in Christ, our duty is to love those who suffer all afflictions and walk with them for as long as we can. Don't just throw verses at someone with anxiety, be in their life, walk with them through their emotions, show them Christ in your actions and words. Be a student of God's word. Understand his character and promises. by doing this you'll be an incredible testament to God's power and grace and a blessing to those with anxiety.


Christian Bringolf MA LMHC

It’s that time of year again when kids groan and parents rejoice.  The summer has been long, parents have done everything they can to keep their kids occupied and out of trouble.  Summers are often filled with lots of vacations, staying up late and kids getting much more freedom than during the school year.  By August, most parents are tired and ready for their kid to be back in school and get a “normal” routine underway.  This however, can be quite challenging and if you’re a parent reading this you know what I mean.  Most mental health professionals and agencies see a spike in the need for services right around the start of the new school year.  Often the type of service that is needed is behavioral.

Why is this?

Kids have a hard time transitioning, especially if it’s from doing something they love (i.e. staying up late, playing with friends, vacation, etc) to something they don’t love (i.e. school).  The beginning of the school year can really be shock to their system.  They have to be up early, eat a full meal, learn new rules, meet new people, understand their academic responsibilities, be disciplined in doing their homework, accommodate to afterschool activities, participate in family time, go to bed on time so they can get a good night’s sleep just to do it all over again.  For us parents, this seems like no big deal, because we have had to be responsible for a great many things for a lot longer.  We’re used to carrying that weight.  But for the average kid, this is A LOT and can be overwhelming.
There will always be outliers and exceptions to the rule.  There will always be kids who are more responsible than their age and are able to handle more than their peers; but they can’t be the standard of measurement.    Being overwhelmed, stressed and anxious can look different for every kid. Sometimes their stress comes out in verbal and physical aggression. Sometimes they will become more isolated and not open up, giving off the perception that they are depressed or overly sensitive.  Certainly these are not the only ways kids will seek to deal with their stress, these are just examples I have seen in my practice. 

Kids with behavioral challenges don’t necessarily have a psychiatric issue, they may be just dealing with an overloaded plate.

Things to look for as a parent of a kid going back to school:

1. Are home expectations reasonable?
2. Have you overloaded your kids schedule because you want them to achieve and have lots of memories?
3. Are their academic expectations reasonable? (Talk with their teacher, develop a rapport, communicate what your kid can and can’t handle)
4. What’s your communication style like with your kid?  Are you staying consistent with your messages? Are your messages always negative? Are you trying to be more of friend? Are you too strict?
5. Does your kid feel like they can be a kid in your home?
6. Is there a lack of structure in your house? This can be a significant reason why behavior challenges occur.  When a school environment has more structure and the home environment doesn’t behavior challenges will happen because there is a sharp contrast between the two environments.

Really the goal here is to be intentional with your kid and better understand what they can handle, what they are good at and what they can grow in.
 
 

So you’ve decided to go to counseling...
 
I want to encourage you that this a good thing. Something that you shouldn’t be ashamed of.  Think of it as going to the gym to improve your cardio and overall physical health.  Counseling is that thing that allows you to address aspects of your life in an objective environment without the speculation and judgement from subjective relationships.  Using the gym analogy again, is it wrong to improve your cardio health? Is it wrong to increase your strength from weight lifting?

No.

Maybe you’ve had a doctor or someone you know in your life express concern for your physical health and tell you to get in the gym.  Well going to a therapist should be no different, you get to address distortions, lies and various other mental health issues you may be living with.
Everyone likes being able to be someone that fixes themselves.  The reality is you can’t “fix” yourself without help. 
Now to answer a question that you may have had, “Am I crazy because I need counseling?”

No.

We all need maintenance in our lives physically and mentally. You don’t need to be ashamed of seeking counseling.
You may have questions as to what to expect in counseling and if you don’t, you should.  Questions are good to have for your therapist, because not every therapist will connect with you. 
Know what type of issue you have that is prompting you to seek counseling (i.e. depression, anxiety, trauma, grief/loss, marriage, communication, etc.).

Know what type of therapist you work well with and why. Do you work better with a male or female therapist? Do you need a therapist who will listen more or do you need a therapist who will help provide direction?
Know what per-conceived ideas you have coming to counseling with.  Often your ideas about counseling will be influenced heavily by friends and family who have been to therapy.  If these therapeutic experiences have been negative for your friends or family that will influence how you look at therapy.

Therapy is about working with you and where you’re at, not about fitting you into a prescribed therapeutic box.  For this reason, therapy can feel not always linear and may require several session to determine how a therapist will work with you.

Know that not all therapists approach the same issue of depression from the same angle.  Therapists like to use a wide array of therapeutic focuses (i.e. Cognitive Behavior Theory, Psycho-dynamic Theory, Family Systems, DBT, etc.)  These approaches are not meant to confuse you, but rather frame how the therapist will work with you.  That is why it is good for you to ask what the therapist’s approach is.  Is it singular or is it eclectic?
I want you to know I support you in seeking therapy for yourself.  What you are doing is a courageous and humble thing to do.  I say courage, because there is darkness in everyone’s life that can be scary to face and I say humble because coming to therapy is you saying “I can’t do this on my own and I would like some help.”
Keep moving forward, you are doing a good job

ADHD is a diagnosis that has become more prevalent in children, adolescents and teens over the last several years. As of 2011, 11% of 4-17 year olds have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Use of medication to treat ADHD in 4-17 year olds has risen from 4.8% in 2007 to 6.1% in 2011(website, CDC, 2016).

According to the American Psychiatric Association, behavior therapy is considered "first line treatment" for 4-5 year olds with the diagnosis of ADHD.

While some of these statistics may be alarming, helpful or somewhere in between knowing your child in light of a diagnosis of ADHD is important. As a parent you can only focus on your child.

Parents, you would do well to:

1. Familiarize yourself with what the DSM-5 says about ADHD. What are the origins of the diagnosis (etiology) , what are the symptoms, and what is the overall pathology of the disorder.
2. Research the different forms of treatments for ADHD. Treatment may vary depending on your child's age. Healthcare and mental health professionals usually agree that medication or therapy or some combination of both are the most effective in treating this disorder.
3. Have a support network that can help you. You will get tired and overwhelmed and consistency will be key in helping your child navigate life with this diagnosis. Having people support you will be necessary.
4. Take care of yourself. Finds ways to relax, even if it's for a few minutes. By doing this you will protect yourself from burnout, ensure your care of your child stays intact.

Remember, ADHD is a psychiatric diagnosis, it is not meant to be a label for your child. Create a plan with your support network and mental health professionals and implement with as much consistency as you can. Get your child in some form of behavior therapy. If they are in school, they may benefit from a 504 and or an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Talk with a child psychiatrist about the benefits and side effects of medication to treat ADHD.

Finally, you can do this. Set realistic goals for yourself, child and take each day one at a time.

Links:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
http://www.health.com/health/m/gallery/0,,20441463_13,00.html