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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
Options for the abused child
Psychotherapy can help a child who has been abused learn to trust again, as well as teach the child about normal behavior and relationships. Therapy can also teach children conflict management and can boost self-esteem. Several different types of therapy may be effective for children who've been abused:
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy helps an abused child to better manage distressing feelings and to deal with trauma-related memories. Eventually, the nonabusing parent and the child are seen together so the child can let the nonabusing parent know exactly what happened.
- Child-parent psychotherapy. This treatment focuses on improving the parent-child relationship and on building a stronger attachment between the two.
Children who are placed in foster care because their home situation was deemed too dangerous will also need mental health services, and specific therapies are available for children in foster care.
Options for the abusing parent
Psychotherapy can help an abuser discover the roots of abuse and learn effective ways to cope with life's inevitable frustrations. If the child is still in the home, social services may schedule home visits and make sure essential needs, such as food, are available.
Several different types of therapy have been found helpful for parents, including:
- Parent-child interaction therapy. This therapy is a short-term treatment that teaches positive ways to manage children's behavior. This therapy also teaches parents how to build a better relationship with their children.
- Abuse-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. This short-term treatment helps parents learn to regulate emotions. It also teaches parenting skills and what behaviors to expect from different ages of children, as well as positive ways to discipline children.
Places to turn for help
If you need help because you're at risk of abusing a child, or you think someone else has abused or neglected a child, there are organizations that can provide you with information and referrals, such as:
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)
- Prevent Child Abuse America: 800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373)
- Stop It Now (for sexual abuse): 888-PREVENT (888-773-8368)
- Sirotnak AP, et al. Child abuse and neglect. In: Hay WW Jr, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3399277. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Child maltreatment 2008. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm08/cm08.pdf. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- What do I need to know about child abuse? American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/What-to-Know-about-Child-Abuse.aspx. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Bernet W. Child maltreatment. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3291295. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Recognizing child abuse and neglect: Signs and symptoms. Child Information Gateway. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Milosavljevic N, et al. Abuse and neglect. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201664618-3/0/1657/764.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Berkowitz CD. Child abuse and neglect. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2004. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=614652. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Whipple EE, et al. Crossing the line from physical discipline to child abuse: How much is too much? Child Abuse and Neglect. 1997;21:431.
- Chung EK, et al. Parenting attitudes and infant spanking: The influence of childhood experiences. Pediatrics. 2009;124:e278.
- Asnes AG. Managing child abuse: General principles. Pediatrics in Review. 2010;31:47.
- Long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect. Child Welfare Information Gateway. http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/long_term_consequences.pdf. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Shipman K, et al. Mental health treatment of child abuse and neglect: The promise of evidence-based practice. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2009;56:417.
- Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 20, 2010.
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