Accidental scratch--or a sign of self-cutting?

Having a high index of suspicion is key to identifying adolescents who cut themselves. The approach described here can help you properly evaluate these patients and get them the help they need.

Parents of adolescents who have committed sexual offenses: characteristics, challenges, and interventions.

This article discusses the importance of a systems approach to working with adolescents who have offended sexually. Literature concerning family backgrounds of these youths is reviewed, highlighting histories of family violence, parental depression and child maltreatment, problematic communication patterns, parental psychological inaccessibility, inconsistent discipline, and failure of the family to acknowledge the youth's offending behavior. Such issues and other special challenges presented by parents of these adolescents, particularly as the issues impact caregiver support and supervision, can be significant barriers to a youth's successful treatment.

When children sexually abuse other children.

Sexual behaviors in preschool and school age children range from developmentally expected behaviors to those that may be classified as abusive to other children. This article discusses Arkansas statistics on the incidence of children with problematic sexual behaviors, proposed typologies for these behaviors, and the relationship of sexual acting out to sexual victimization. We also address assessment and treatment referral options for the child with sexual behavior problems as well as physician responsibilities for reporting to the Child Abuse Hotline and managing suspected sexual abuse victimization.