Take 3: signs of abuse in non-verbal patients

1 minute read


Behaviour is a communication tool, and when it changes it might mean something is wrong, says Dr Jane Tracy


Behaviour is a communication tool, and when it changes it might mean something is wrong, says Dr Jane Tracy, the director of the Centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria at Monash University.

“We have to keep in the front of our minds that a change in behaviour may reflect that someone is experiencing abuse somewhere in their environment.”

If the patient is avoiding a particular person or place, this could be a sign of abuse.

The abuse may be from a resident in the same house, a paid carer or even a family member who has been worn down by their caring.

“We have to be alert to the signs of carer stress,” says Dr Tracy.

Watch the full video here.

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