Learning Exercises

You work at a childcare center. A 3 year old child returns to your classroom after a family vacation. You notice the child limping and that they are favoring their right leg. When you ask if their leg is hurt, they shake their head no and will not answer your questions. This child has had several accidents in the past few months and the adult caregivers have always had plausible explanation.

Do you have a reasonable cause to suspect that the child is impaired or is in imminent danger or impairment?

What 2 indicators are present?

You teach 3rd grade. Dismissal was at 3pm today, but no one arrived to pick up one of your students (age 9) until after 3:30pm. When a parent finally arrives by car, you notice the parent is agitated, smells of alcohol and appears to be highly intoxicated from their slurred speech and uneven gait. You try to gently intercede by asking the parent if any help is needed. You also ask the parent if another family member or friend is available to pick the child up, or if you can call a cab or Uber. The parent becomes enraged and starts yelling to the child, “Let’s go! We’re leaving!” and tries to drag away the child who yells out that they do not want to leave.

Is there a reasonable suspicion?

Identify 3 potential indicators of abuse or maltreatment

You are an emergency room physician and have just been presented with a 6-year old child who arrived by ambulance. EMS personnel report that they received a 911 call for a child who was moderately responsive and experiencing breathing trouble. Upon arrival at the home, EMS was informed by the parents that the child may have ingested THC gummies which were left in a dish on the living room table. You assess that the child has acute marijuana intoxication, must have their stomach pumped and will need to be admitted to the hospital overnight for monitoring and recovery. 

What indicators are present?

Is there a reasonable suspicion?