Moral, ethical and legal responsibilities to report suspected autistic child?!
Question: Moral, ethical and legal responsibilities to report suspected autistic child!?
A family I know has a child that I strongly suspect is autistic!. I see the family on a regular basis, and know them in a capacity that makes it awkward for me to ask them whether or not they have ever tried to seek treatment for their child!. I know enough members of the family to be fairly certain that they have not ever tried to seek treatment for the child!.
The situation is as follows: The child is highly intelligent; but is also extremely socially withdrawn!. About eight years old!. There are members of the child's close family who the child has never spoken to, despite seeing the child quite frequently!. Although I see the child regularly and try to make conversation about things the child might be interested in, the child has never spoken to me, either!. If others, even close family members, are in the room with the child's parents, the child will whisper in the ear of a parent rather than speaking aloud!. The child does well in school and is well-liked by teachers, but has what I consider to be an unreasonable fear of being wrong!. If the child marks something wrong on a paper and realizes it before turning it in, the child will literally use the eraser so much that it tears a hole in the paper!.
Other family members have even mentioned to me how odd the child's behavior is!. I have tried to hint to them that I see these as signs of some type of condition!. But I feel the family would not mention these things to me if they knew the reason for the child's behavior and the child was receiving treatment!. These family members are close enough that they would definitely know if the child was receiving treatment (grandparents, aunts and uncles)!.
I feel certain that the child's school must be aware of this behavior, and wonder why they have not mentioned things to the parents!. I feel the child might be much happier with treatment, but I'm placed in an awkward position where I feel I might lose friendship, respect and more if I imply there might be something "wrong" with their child!.
My question is, having observed these things, is there a moral, ethical or legal obligation to discuss this with the parents or with someone else!? The family truly does spend a lot of time with the child and they're very caring parents, but does ignoring a potential condition like this considered abuse!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
The situation is as follows: The child is highly intelligent; but is also extremely socially withdrawn!. About eight years old!. There are members of the child's close family who the child has never spoken to, despite seeing the child quite frequently!. Although I see the child regularly and try to make conversation about things the child might be interested in, the child has never spoken to me, either!. If others, even close family members, are in the room with the child's parents, the child will whisper in the ear of a parent rather than speaking aloud!. The child does well in school and is well-liked by teachers, but has what I consider to be an unreasonable fear of being wrong!. If the child marks something wrong on a paper and realizes it before turning it in, the child will literally use the eraser so much that it tears a hole in the paper!.
Other family members have even mentioned to me how odd the child's behavior is!. I have tried to hint to them that I see these as signs of some type of condition!. But I feel the family would not mention these things to me if they knew the reason for the child's behavior and the child was receiving treatment!. These family members are close enough that they would definitely know if the child was receiving treatment (grandparents, aunts and uncles)!.
I feel certain that the child's school must be aware of this behavior, and wonder why they have not mentioned things to the parents!. I feel the child might be much happier with treatment, but I'm placed in an awkward position where I feel I might lose friendship, respect and more if I imply there might be something "wrong" with their child!.
My question is, having observed these things, is there a moral, ethical or legal obligation to discuss this with the parents or with someone else!? The family truly does spend a lot of time with the child and they're very caring parents, but does ignoring a potential condition like this considered abuse!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
The tone and detail of your question indicates that you truly care and are concerned for this child!. There is a resource for you to consult with that could put your mind at ease!. My suggestion is that you contact your county or other local Family Services office!. If you would prefer, you could give all of the information just as you have done here to a caseworker!. You wouldn't even necessarily have to tell them the name of the family you are talking about if you were uncomfortable to do so!. You can be anonymous; you can emphasize that you are not interested in getting anyone into 'trouble'!. In Pennsylvania, the social service office is called "Children and Youth Services", in New Jersey it is the "Division of Youth and Family Services"!. Since I don't know what state you are from I can't tell you what the name of your social services is, but you can usually look this up easily!. You sound like a very kind and caring person who is genuinely concerned and that's all good!. As to your questions about classifying this as 'abuse', I'm thinking this sounds more like a form of neglect!. However, it could also be a case of denial -- since this child is so intelligent and high-functioning, perhaps his ability to perform in school academically is causing everyone to minimize his apparent social issues!. There are so many levels of autism and other forms of behavioral anomalies that are possible!. Try to contact a social worker!. I'll pray for you -- I hope you'll get in contact with an understanding caseworker who can put your mind at ease!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Is the child being abused in any way!? Is the child's safety a concern!? If no, then it's none of your business!. Butt out!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
First of all, the kid doesn't seem autistic!. Social problems are only one of the MANY signs of autism, and this child doesn't have any other symptoms of autism, from what you've told us!. So, I would say it's far more likely that the child is perhaps simply shy, or maybe a bit anxious!. But she certainly doesn't sound autistic!.
It's really none of your business!. As you said, the parents are very caring!. Reporting it to someone else would just get them investigated like criminals!. Do you really want to do that to them, or to their child!?
Leave it alone!. The kid is fine!. And you're not a psychiatrist!. Stop trying to act like one!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It's really none of your business!. As you said, the parents are very caring!. Reporting it to someone else would just get them investigated like criminals!. Do you really want to do that to them, or to their child!?
Leave it alone!. The kid is fine!. And you're not a psychiatrist!. Stop trying to act like one!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
You have NO way of knowing whether the child has been through treatment!. This child may have been through treatment and this may be the best result that the team could come up with!. I think if the child is engaging on the level it sounds then someone must have worked with him!. He may also be very low spectrum!. It may seem severe to you but to a specialist they might consider his behavior to be mild!. Also, this may be another type of developmental issue that just looks like autism!. My nephew is 2 and has been officially diagnosed autistic by Children's hospital in Pittsburgh!. However, the doctor's working with my sister and her husband said that a child's response to help is individual!. You have no rights to do anything about this if the child is well cared for, speaks with his parents, does well in a regular classroom!. Sometimes that is the best you can expect from treatment!. Maybe they don't share everything with certain family members about treatment!. You have to trust from what you observe that the child is well cared for!. That's all you can do!.Www@Answer-Health@Com