Neuropsychology of Child Maltreatment and Implications for School Psychologists

Abstract

Child maltreatment has the potential to alter a child's neurodevelopmental trajectory and substantially increase the risk of later psychiatric disorders, as well as to deleteriously impact neurocognitive functioning throughout the lifespan. Child maltreatment has been linked to multiple domains of neurocognitive impairment, including language, visual-spatial functioning, intelligence, executive functioning, and motor skills. Research is increasingly indicating that alterations in neurobiological functioning occur as a result of childhood maltreatment, which in turn may produce an epigenetic and transgenerational effect. School psychologists should be aware of these factors when working with maltreated children to better understand their current functioning and assessment results, and to educate family members, school personnel, and the community about the adverse effects of childhood maltreatment, as well as to work toward prevention. C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.In essence, clinical neuropsychology is the application of the brain-behavior relationship to answer diagnostic questions, design strength-based interventions, and determine functional deficits, outcomes, and prognoses. For pediatric neuropsychology, this process involves the integration of neurological, psychiatric, genetic, psychosocial, physiological, academic, and environmental variables, all in the context of developmental trajectories. At first glance, the inclusion of an article with this approach may seem surprising in a discussion of child abuse and neglect, henceforth referred to as child maltreatment, as it relates to the practice of school psychology. This may stem from a typical approach of primarily considering familial, societal, and environmental variables in studying child maltreatment; however, child maltreatment can have a profound impact on the child's developing central nervous system. Given the fact that most observable behavior involves the central nervous system, it stands to reason that considering neuropsychological variables for children who have been maltreated is an essential aspect of interacting clinically with this population. School psychologists are essential members of the treatment team for maltreated children and, as such, the primary focus of this article is to discuss the role of the brain-behavior relationship and associated longitudinal considerations for school psychologists working with children who have been maltreated. NEURODEVELOPMENTAL FACTORS IN CHILD MALTREATMENTThe central nervous system undergoes massive changes very early in a child's life, including substantial development during the perinatal period. Maltreatment during this time can have a profound impact on neurodevelopmental processes. Given that neurological development proceeds throughout childhood, disruption at different times in this process can interfere with the acquisition of different developmental milestones. Indeed, when more basic functions are impacted by maltreatment, the brain is less able to develop in a manner that facilitates hea...

Traços de personalidade de adolescentes infratores e vitimizados por meio do Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Junior (EPQ-J)

“…Da mesma forma, vítimas de violência intrafamiliar comumente mostram, segundo a literatura, dificuldades de aprendizagem, atraso e abandono escolar em função das diversas consequências da vitimização sofrida que afetam o desenvolvimento cognitivo, intelectual e social das vítimas. Alguns estudos destacam, ainda, que a presença de dificuldades graves de aprendizagem pode ser considerada, junto com outros sinais e sintomas específicos, um indicador importante de vitimização doméstica (Waal, Dekker, Kikkert, Kleinhesselink & Goudriaan, 2017;Davis, Moss, Nogin, & Webb, 2015).…”

Repercussions of family violence: oral history of adolescents

“…In international scenario, studies also highlight learning deficit as a consequence of domestic violence (18)(19) . Intellectual impairments in maltreatment victims in childhood and adolescence have serious consequences, since there is evidence that cognitive issues influence academic and work performance throughout life.…”

“…Intellectual impairments in maltreatment victims in childhood and adolescence have serious consequences, since there is evidence that cognitive issues influence academic and work performance throughout life. In addition, children and adolescents with learning difficulties also tend to have difficulties in socializing, such as abilities to ask for help or to request attention in an appropriate way (19) .…”

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“…Finally, the third factor that is relevant to increased rates of language delays and impairment in youths in foster care is trauma and maltreatment within the home environment, such as parental neglect and abuse (Davis, Moss, Nogin, & Webb, ; Merritt & Klein, ; Stock & Fisher, ). Factors that cause neglect and abuse to impact language development are lower amounts of parental support and greater relational stress experienced by children who have been maltreated (Merritt & Klein, ; Sylvestre & Mérette, ).…”