Poverty's Impact On The Behavioral Health Of Children

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - About 60,000 children in Philadelphia are being raised in "deep poverty" living on $10,000 annually where physical, sexual, emotional and domestic abuse, drugs, violence, hunger, loss of loved ones and deprivation are part of the environment.

Such factors have been identified by the ACE study (adverse child experiences) as indicators for needing help. Data is from a survey of 17,000 adults whose early lives show likelihood of medical, mental or social problems as adults.

Traumatized people develop strategies for survival - tuning out, lashing out, bullying, repeating the abuse - resulting in suspensions, arrests and incarceration - making teaching and learning extremely difficult.

School officials in Philadelphia realize that zero tolerance and strong discipline can add to trauma. Improving school climate tools and restorative practices or positive behavioral inventories and supports are now being adopted.

Find information on behavioral health in the Philadelphia Public School Notebook.