This month’s contributor is Cynthia Amodeo:
Cynthia Amodeo is the Coordinator of “Generations of Freedom” the family services department at Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House Emergency Shelter. She is a graduate of Teacher’s College, Columbia University with her Master of Education and Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Prior to Freedom House she worked with children and families impacted by the World Trade Center attack and children infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.
Developmental Delays in Children who witness Domestic Violence
Children who grow up in a home where domestic violence occurs are at greater risk of being maltreated or abused.
Subsequently, maltreated children are more likely to have developmental delays in such areas as: social/emotional (interactions with others);cognitive (brain development, information processing); speech and language; gross motor skills (large muscle groups, walk or sit up straight); or fine motor skills (small movement, how to pick up an object).
This situation can be heightened in a household where there is both domestic violence and a disability present, specifically, where there is a hearing child in a deaf household
SURVIVORS STORY
Marie, a deaf mother of a 2 year old girl named Isabella came to Freedom House to escape violence between herself and her abusive husband, who was also deaf.
During the family assessment, Marie disclosed that her daughter witnessed a lot of the physical violence in the home and was acting out what she saw (throwing objects and hitting her mother with them). In addition, Marie brought in evaluations which said that Isabella had a significant speech delay and autism (developmental delays).
It was clear that none of the evaluators took into consideration that Isabella was a hearing child in a deaf home, and how this could impact her evaluation. In addition, Marie did not tell anyone about the abuse so the evaluators did not know the true cause of Isabella’s behavior. Isabella communicated through sign language and had little speech development because it was not needed in her home.
We advocated that the child be reevaluated. She was, and it was determined the diagnosis of autism indeed did not fit the child.
Due to the lack of verbal communication in the home Isabella did have a speech delay but was able to receive speech therapy services at Freedom House, working with an outside agency to provide this help. In addition, Marie received social work services to learn how to deal with Isabella’s behavior.
EARLY INTERVENTION
As a social worker, it is crucial to monitor the development of young children living in a violent environment. If you suspect that a child between the ages of 0-3 may have a developmental delay you can request an evaluation through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in your state.
Early Intervention is a Department of Health and Mental Hygiene state-run program where a parent can get their child evaluated and/or monitored if they suspect any delay or disability.
The parent will be assigned a service coordinator to walk them through the process. An evaluation of the child’s needs is completed, and if found eligible an Individualized Family Service Plan will be put in place to assist the child.
Services available may include nursing services, physical therapy, vision/hearing services, psychological services.
Early Intervention is a nationwide program. To find services in your area please visit:
http://www.earlyinterventionsupport.com
For more information on Early Intervention Services, please visit:
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/earlyint/earlyint.shtml
References:
Developmental Status and Early Intervention Service Needs of Maltreated Children (http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/08/devneeds/rb.htm)
