Evaluating for Abuse in a Child with a Disability


Case History

  • A 16-year-old female with nonverbal autism had inner thigh bruising that her mother noticed when she came back from school. The mother is concerned about sexual abuse.
  • No change in behavior; LMP 2 weeks ago; no perineal injury noted by mother
  • No history of easy bruising
  • She picks at her skin sometimes but there is no other history of self injurious behavior
  • Medication: takes Prozac for mood stabilization

REFERENCES:

  • Goldberg et al 2009

CHAMP Education for Child Abuse Medical Providers

Accessible Version

Back to our case: We have a 16-year-old female with nonverbal autism who had inner thigh bruising that mother noticed when she came from school. She has had no change in behavior, her LMP 2 weeks ago, and there was no other perineal injury noted by mother She has no history of easy bruising She picks at her skin sometimes but there is no other history of self injurious behavior She takes Prozac for mood stabilization