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Home » Adoption Articles » MedicalDefinitions of Child Abuse and NeglectChild abuse and neglect are defined by both Federal and State law. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is the Federal legislation that provides minimum standards for the definition of child abuse and neglect that States must incorporate in their statutory definitions. Under CAPTA, child abuse and neglect means, at a minimum: ADHD: What Are the Educational Options? Children with ADHD have a variety of needs. Some children are too hyperactive or inattentive to function in a regular classroom, even with medication and a behavior management plan. Such children may be placed in a special education class for all or part of the day. In some schools, the special education teacher teams with the classroom teacher to meet each child's unique needs. However, most children are able to stay in the regular classroom. Whenever possible, educators prefer to not to segregate children, but to let them learn along with their peers. ADHD: Can Any Other Conditions Produce These Symptoms? The fact is, many things can produce these behaviors. Anything from chronic fear to mild seizures can make a child seem overactive, quarrelsome, impulsive, or inattentive. For example, a formerly cooperative child who becomes overactive and easily distracted after a parent's death is dealing with an emotional problem, not ADHD. A chronic middle ear infection can also make a child seem distracted and uncooperative. So can living with family members who are physically abusive or addicted to drugs or alcohol. Can you imagine a child trying to focus on a math lesson when his or her safety and well-being are in danger each day? Such children are showing the effects of other problems, not ADHD. Procedures For Reporting Child Abuse Standard Reporting Procedures All 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories have enacted statutes specifying procedures that a mandatory reporter must follow when making a report of child abuse or neglect. Mandatory reporters are individuals who are required by law to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect1. In most States, the statutes require mandated reporters to make a report immediately upon gaining their knowledge or suspicion of abusive or neglectful situations. In all jurisdictions, the initial report may be made orally to either the child protective services agency or to a law enforcement agency. Parental Drug Use as Child Abuse There is increasing awareness that abuse of drugs or alcohol by parents and other caretakers can have a negative impact on the health, safety, and well-being of children. Approximately1 31 States currently have laws in place within their child protection statutes that address the issue of substance abuse by parents. Two main areas of concern are (1) the harm caused to fetuses by substance abuse by pregnant women and (2) the harm caused to children of any age by substance abuse by others or other illegal drug activity in the home. Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect Each State and U.S. Territory designates individuals, typically by professional group, who are mandated by law to report child maltreatment. Any person, however, may report incidents of abuse or neglect. Children and Domestic Violence In recent years, increased attention has been focused on children who may be impacted by violence in the home, either as direct victims or as witnesses to domestic violence. Although mandatory reporting laws have been the primary means for protecting abused and neglected children, many States now provide additional protection for children in their domestic violence laws. |
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