Signs of Child Abuse

By Dr. Michael Elterman

Since 1982, Dr. Michael Elterman has owned and operated a private clinical psychology practice in the Vancouver area. He has also collaborated extensively with the courts, preparing over 2,500 reports regarding such issues as child development, custody issues, and child abuse.

Aside from glaringly obvious indications such as cigarette burns or very specific bruising patterns, it can be difficult to know when a child is suffering abuse. Though no one of these on its own serves as definitive proof, radical changes or a combination of signs, such as those I list below, might necessitate intervention from an adult.

Obvious physical damage: It is no secret that children often play a bit too rough and end up with bruises and scrapes. But if these injuries repeat, or a child starts to act suspicious (i.e., wearing long sleeves and pants every day), it might be worth investigating.

Inappropriate behavior, seemingly out of nowhere: Some of these incidences can be chalked up to self-exploration, but if a change occurs that makes you feel uneasy (i.e., a pre-adolescent child obsessed with private zones, or a formerly mellow child abruptly starting to act out), look into it.

Extremely low self-image: Children who have been abused tend to be, if not explicitly told by the abuser, made to feel inadequate or useless. Children who constantly say things like “What’s the point? I’m stupid anyway” or generally express very little self-worth might be the victims of abuse.

Drastic fluctuations in personality: Though a child suffering abuse may play with his classmates normally and appear content most of the time, this may be a defense mechanism. A victim of abuse might vacillate between a content, surface persona and an anxious, depressed side that sometimes shows through.

Objects fervently to going somewhere: Instead of forcing a child who strongly resists visiting a particular person, communicate with the child. Ask questions to uncover the real reason the child does not want to go. Children may be afraid to tell the truth, as children who suffer abuse often withhold it to protect the abuser if the abuser is a perceived caretaker.

A Brief Overview of Childhood Conditions that are Products of Abuse

by Dr. Michael Elterman

This article is meant as a summary of three medical conditions that affect children who are neglected or abused by their parents.

1. Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: A condition that affects mostly children who are preschool-aged, Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a situation that occurs when a child’s parent or guardian embellishes upon or completely makes up an illness that the child may or may not be diagnosed with. Children who suffer from Munchausen syndrome by proxy can be victim to unnecessary surgeries and intentional medical neglect.

2. Abusive Head Trauma: Also known as shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma is an injury to a child’s head that is a direct product of blows to the head, shaking, dropping, or throwing. Most of the victims of this condition are less than one year old, and the effects can include serious brain damage.

3. Child Traumatic Stress: Children who have experienced physical or emotional distress may exhibit characteristics of child traumatic stress, a condition that shows the effect of the stressful event through the child’s emotional responses, behavior, and actions. Those children who have child traumatic stress may become submissive, shy, anxious, or troubled.

About the author:

After he graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Master’s degree in Psychology, Dr. Michael Elterman embarked on a career that would lead him to specialize in child and adult clinical psychology. During Dr. Michael Elterman’s career as a private practitioner in Vancouver, British Columbia, he has supplied evidence for cases involving child development, child custody and access, and sexual and physical child abuse. Dr. Michael Elterman, who is familiar with several debilitating conditions that are the consequence of child abuse, continues to treat children and parents out of his facility in Vancouver.