Posts from ‘April, 2009’

This is the first of 5 blog series dedicated to Autism awareness month.

Asperger’s syndrome is one of the autism spectrum disorders or pervasive developmental disorders, which is categorized based upon abnormalities of social interaction and communication. In particular, it is characterized by poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, and other peculiar mannerisms. Children with Asperger’s syndrome often have few facial expressions and have difficulty reading the body language of others; they might engage in obsessive routines and display an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Overall, people with Asperger’s Syndrome are capable of functioning in everyday life and are intelligent, but tend to be somewhat socially immature and may be seen by others as eccentric.The Syndrome is named after Hans Asperger, a Viennese pediatrician who first described set of behavior patterns in 1940.

This is a continuation of blog last week’s blog.

How to report:

By telephone: Child Protection Hotline (1-800-540-4000). Within 35 hours of telephone report, a written report or online report (link to LA county) must be made.

Information to have ready for Child Protection Hotline Intake:

• Are you a mandated reporter?

• Name of your agency, address, and telephone number.

• Mother’s name, date of birth, address and telephone number.

• Father’s name, date of birth, address if different than mother’s.

• Child name, date of birth, address, phone number, school child attends, current location of child.

April is Child abuse awareness month. Unfortunately child abuse still exists today. The statistics for child abuse are staggering. Child protective agencies found an estimated 896,000 children across the country to be victims of maltreatment. There are signs to recognize child abuse including physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Today’s blog will focus on who makes the report.

If anyone suspects child abuse, everyone has the right to report. In addition, there are professionals who are required to report. If mandated reporters fail to make a report, they are punishable by law. Mandated reporters are from all agencies and include: