Consequences of Stress on Children's Development

When you think of your own life experiences or the lives of children and adults you know well what are the stressors of which you are aware?

Sexual Abuse

This question struck quite the nerve, but in a good way. As a child in middle school, my greastest stressor was being sexually abused. Between the ages of 12-14 years of age, I was being molested by a person living in my household at the time. When all this began I didn't know what to do, I was fearful, confused and scared. I played a lot of sports because for one, it kept me out the house a little longer, but my grades were horrible. I passed 7th and 8th by the grace of God. It was scary time in my life and no one knew the stress I was under. I don't believed I showed any signs, because even through all of that I kept a smile on my face. I specifically remember one time I came to school very upset and crying. I told my friends what happened and nobody really said anything, just hugged me. That was my first and last cry for help. Could you imagine the stress of wanting help, just not knowing how to get it without actually asking?

As a teacher now, I do know how important it is understand child behavior and to constantly be aware of even the smallest changes. It's funny, because although I was doing horribly in school I don't remember a teacher calling my mom to discuss my grades. It wasn't until I relocated to another city and school is when I was basically rescued. I used to write a lot during that time in my life and kept that notebook with me at all time. My grandmother found it and immediately reported to my principal. I moved in my grandmother right away.

Sexual abuse is something hard to pinpoint. And teachers aren't usually quick to say that could be the reason why a child is behaving the way they are, partly because that is a very serious accusation. But would you rather be right or wrong in that kind of situation? That judgement call could save someone's life. If my grandmother had never been nosey then I would still been in that situation. And I am so grateful for that. So, below I am just going to share a few signs of a child that is possibly being sexually abused in the early childhood years.

Signs of Sexual Abuse:
-Gradual or sudden change in behavior
-Agressive/Disruptive behavior
-Regression to more infantile behavior (bed wetting, thumb sucking, excessive crying)
-Vaginal or rectal bleeding, pain, itching, swollen genitals, vaginal discharge, or an STD
-Expressing affection in ways that are inappropriate for a child of that age
-Excessive masturbation
-Difficulty learning in school / Inability to Concentrate / Short Attention Span / May appear to have a learning disorder / Appears to be hyperactive (may even be diagnosed as ADD / ADHD)


Resources:
 http://www.speakingout-csa.com/signssymptoms.html