Law and Ethics Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The recommended course of action when a therapist observes signs of potential neglect in a child is to assess for further signs of child neglect. This approach is crucial because it allows the therapist to gather more comprehensive information about the child's situation. Potential neglect may not always be clear-cut; thus, conducting a thorough assessment helps in understanding the context, frequency, and severity of the observed signs.

A deeper assessment can include observing the child's interactions with their environment, gathering additional information from caregivers or teachers, and looking for patterns or changes over time. This information can be important for determining the need for intervention or reporting to the appropriate authorities, ensuring the child's safety and well-being is prioritized.

In contrast, merely commenting on the child's behavior, involving the mother too early without adequate information, or documenting the behavior without a deeper investigation may neglect the complexity of the situation. Each of these alternatives may miss vital opportunities to ensure proper action is taken for the child's protection and may not adequately address the problem at hand. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment is a critical first step in responsibly addressing potential neglect.