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Updated: May 17, 2026

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Children in difficulties
Srivieng Pairojkul1, Napa Limratana
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. srivieng@kku.ac.th
Insights
Children facing neglect, abuse, or poverty require collaborative protection strategies. Pediatricians are crucial in supporting families and advocating for child welfare through education and early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Child Health
- Pediatrics
- Social Determinants of Health
Background:
- Children in difficulties face chronic neglect, abuse, disability, and socio-economic challenges.
- Parental HIV and limited opportunities exacerbate children's vulnerability.
- Understanding these factors is critical for effective child protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current challenges affecting children in difficult situations.
- To explore short- and long-term strategies for child welfare.
- To define the role of pediatricians in addressing these issues.
Main Methods:
- Review of incidence and situations of children in difficulties.
- Synthesis of existing guidelines.
- Development of recommendations for intervention.
Main Results:
- Macro-economic policies, education system failures, and family unit weaknesses are root causes.
- Family issues include separation, violence, neglect, and exploitation.
- Child trafficking and inappropriate child-rearing are significant concerns.
Conclusions:
- Governmental Organizations (GOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) must collaborate for child protection.
- Pediatricians can strengthen families through education, early detection, and community engagement.
- Medical curricula should integrate child advocacy and family support roles for pediatricians.
Background:
Children in difficulties are characterized by: chronic neglect; disability; physical, emotional or sexual abuse; HIV or one/both parents with HIV and/or limited socio-economic opportunities.
Objective:
To review the current situation by reviewing the incidence of problems affecting children and exploring both potential short-/long-term strategies, including the role of pediatricians.
Material And Method:
The authors reviewed the incidence and situations of children in difficulties, did a synthesis of guidelines and made recommendations.
Results:
The fundamental causes of difficulties include: failed macro-economic policies; inadequate and inaccessible education system; and weakness of the family unit, which is associated with: separation and divorce; violence between partners and/or toward their children; neglect and abandonment; inappropriate child-rearing; and child exploitation, including trafficking.
Conclusion:
GOs and NGOs need to work collaboratively for child protection. Pediatricians can play a vital role in strengthening the family (a) by providing timely strategic, informal education for parents on healthy child-rearing (b) by being attuned to signs, symptoms and attitudes of children in difficulties from childhood through adolescence and (c) by working interactively with children/teens, their families, teachers and communities. Medical schools need to revise the curricula to include these crucial roles for pediatricians in child and family advocacy.
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