My student has a major problem?

Question

I am an instructional tutor to a group or class of high school special ed. students. My co-workers and I have this one problem with this one child, she has a BAD hygiene problem. The begining of the school year was ok, she was bathed, I'd say at least 2 times a week. My mother knows this student's aunt and she told her that the girl's mother has got a new boyfriend and neglects her kids (child abuse?) and her entire family is upset with the girl's mother. I hate to be mean but the girl BADLY stinks and we the tutors don't know how to break it to her mother that she needs to bathe her as her mother seems like a sweet person. Our boss is out for a week and I don't think we can wait that long as this has been going on for 3 weeks. Any professional advise? I feel bad for the girl too, as she is not all that capable to think or speak. We can set up a parent-teacher conference but like I said our boss is out. Don't accept the child until she is bathed or how do we break it to her mother?

Answer 1

Do not hesitate to speak with this girls mother. This is abuse. I would not consider a someone who neglected their handicapped child this way "sweet". This child's personal dignity should not be sacrificed because people are afraid to speak out. If the mother does not care for this, I would definitely appeal to social services.

Answer 2

You did not mention the age of the child or the reasons why she is in Special Education. She obviously must be bathed and the parent informed. You have waited for three weeks. Another few days may not matter that much. You could also attempt to contact your boss before he is scheduled to return to school./

Answer 3

You say your boss is out for the week.Is his/her boss out. I think the problem is more than a tutor should be forced to handle alone. Talk to the school councilor. Have him/her speak to the mother and tell her that the child will not be allowed in your class until she is thoroughly bathed, and if the problem continues, you will be forced to take the problem to child services as it is a matter of the child's health and welfare as well as yours.

Answer 4

first you should talk with the mother and if she does nothing about her daughters hygiene. I would call child abuse on the mother. you should not have to put up with that. I had a so called friend with her husband live with me for five and half years. I think she took a shower maybe five times in the five and half months they live with me. he would take one because I would hold my nose in front of him and hint to him to shower. I would not wait another day. talk to her today or call child abuse today. I have two children that when they went to school they where in special ed also. and they had bathed everyday. they are adults now

Answer 5

I would rather hear that is was problem sooner rather than later. Tell yher mum you'd like to talk to her after school one day and keep her in the classroom (without her daughter, she doesn't need to hear it). Tell her mum you have a small problem and say something like 'A few people have noticed that (girl's name) seems to be giving off body odor. I don't want to alarm you but I also wanted to mention it before any of the children make comments to your daughter. Do you think you could help her improve her hygiene, to avoid any nasty playground situations? I really don't wnat to cause any offence but I don't want her to be bullied for it either'. That way you have explained it calmly and you can still get your point across. If it persists, I would then speak to your boss, but maybe her mother hasn't noticed, and this will alert her to it? Hope that helps!

Answer 6

You could say to the mother that even if you bath every day, you really need to use soap to get rid of B.O., at least under the armpits, and talc to make sure that you're properly dried off helps as well.
If you just come out with it and don't act like it's something to be embarrassed to talk about, then she won't be as embarrassed either. Also, it will point out that a person needs to wash every day.

Answer 7

i think you should really talk to the mother about it... just tell her that her daughters hygiene problems has been giving you guys problems..... and so on... and if this continues you should report it.... because neglecting a child is abuse...... and also not bathing her regally is bad for the child's health



What are the different types of child abuse?

There are four major types of child abuse: child neglect, physical abuse,
sexual abuse and emotional abuse. Child neglect is the type most frequently reported accounting for 60% of child abuse reports. Physical abuse constitutes about 25% of child abuse reports, sexual abuse about 15% and emotional abuse about 5% of child abuse reports. The balance of reports consist of concerns about medical neglect, abandonment, and other situations threatening the well being of a child.


What is child neglect?

Physical neglect is the failure to protect the child from harm or danger, failure to provide for the child's basic needs, including adequate shelter and food; inattention to the children's emotional needs, failure to provide medical care, and failure to meet the educational needs of the child. Consequences of neglect may include learning problems, low self-esteem, significant developmental delays, activity delays, academic and behavior problems.



Diane Acevedo
Pre-school Teacher Assistant

Answer 8

If the child cannot speak or care for herself and there is a problem such as neglect it should be reported. It is not up to you what neglect is but report it and let the professionals determine what the problem is. You are simply seeing a symptom to a much larger problem that you can't possibly handle on your own. Imagine if that is what you see how much goes on that you don't see?

Answer 9

i used to work in a day care and this was the case with alot of children.. it is soo sad that the parents just dont care about there kids enough to bath them... some of them would have a little bag of chips for lunch... or a peice of sliced (lunch meat) turkey. it was rediculous.. there is not a whole lot you can do besides tell the mother... we used to leave notes in the kids lunchboxes... why dont you just write her a letter and send it home in a lunch box.. or something liek that.. just say.. we have noticed that so and so hasn't been being bathed. this is a concern for us. you have to understand that we feel protective of our children and we hope that you dont get offened by this we just really dont want to see any of our children hurt or harmed in any way and we think it would be best if he was bathed once every 1-2 days. thanks so much!

something like that.. make sure you dont sound like.. IEW YOUR KID SMELLS YOU NEED TO WASH THAT BOY.. hahha just be nice and tell him its for the kids health and you only have the best intentions. they might not even say anything to you they might just bath him and not mention a word. you never know!

Answer 10

Get a social worker involved if the child seems to be seriously neglected. It doesn't matter if the mother seems like a 'sweet person'; letting her child go out unwashed is unacceptable.