Emotional abuse in the classroom. The pediatrician's role in diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Seventeen children were observed who were emotionally abused by their elementary schoolteacher in fall 1982. The behaviors and affect of the children were noticeably different from previous years and were similar to those seen in children with school phobia/avoidance. Removal of the teacher was followed by amelioration of symptoms in 15 of the 17 children. The pediatrician needs to recognize symptoms of emotional abuse, differentiate them from school phobia/avoidance, and act as the child's and parents' advocate to prevent serious sequelae.