The neglect and abuse of children and youth: the scope of the problem and the school's role.

We have attempted to define the spectrum of maltreatment of children seen in our current society. The potential for abuse in the child's caretaker, a child who is somewhat different, and a stressful situation are ingredients which often interact to produce maltreatment. The maltreatment rendered to the child includes many mechanisms ranging from direct blows from a variety of objects, to violently shaking the child, to neglect. The spectrum of the pathological findings is as varied as the means to inflict the trauma or neglect and involves every organ system. The predominate pathology of abuse is located in the central nervous system, bones and cutaneous tissues. The school's role primarily involves awareness of the problem of maltreatment, a method of approach to identify and report "suspected" cases, and the documentation of the injuries or neglect which have been observed. The school plays an important role in the follow-up of individual cases in providing a supporting environment for the child and coordinating with other agencies dealing with the family. The school personnel and all professionals must work together if adequate services are to be provided to protect children and rehabilitate families.