Child characteristics
These are clearly generalisations, but some helpful features include:
- mental alertness to surroundings - at the extreme described as frozen watchfulness
- absent exploration but sustained vigilance
- increased appetite and disturbed feeding behaviours
- forming indiscriminate attachments in hospital
- seeking attention
- demonstrating aggressiveness
- immature play
- decreased inter-personal interaction
- dull, pale skin
- physically apathetic
- children with learning disabilities may be at greater risk of abuse.
Reference
- NICE. Child maltreatment: when to suspect maltreatment in under 18s. Clinical guideline CG89. Published July 2009, last updated October 2017.
Create an account to add page annotations
Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page