Alopecia World
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Child protective service visit
So tomorrow I'm getting a visit from CPS. Apparently, the school called CPS on my wife and I for child neglect because my twelve year old daughter has Alopecia. She started losing her hair around January. She's completely hairless now. When we noticed the patches we took her to a dermatologist. He diagnosed her and then gave us some medicine which didn't work. I don't believe there is any form of medicine to treat this type of Alopecia. So the school figured they'd wait until she returned the next year after summer break and if she was still bald they'd contact CPS and file a complaint. We don't treat her any differently. We never ask her to wear her wig or hat when we go out. We try and make her environment as stress free as possible. She's so comfortable now she doesn't even wear a hat or wig at school. Unfortunately she's probably going to get upset when this government employee shows up tomorrow to start asking questions about her condition. So how should I deal with this? Do I allow this CPS employee into my home or just talk outside and how do I deal with the school? Any advice would be great. Thank you.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ellyn on
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Actually, what I don't understand is why the school hasn't spoken to you about what is causing the hair loss - here in NZ parents have easy contact with the schools and vice versa. I'd hate to think of a NZ child being put through something so biased as what this seems to be. I think the people who have advised you to stay calm and talk calmly with the authorities are giving you great advice - they'll see you're a loving, caring and good family and will probably wish every family they come up against were as nice. They might even be able to help you - but I would still talk to the doc if I were you because he is the professional and your daughter just might need that extra bit of support from the doc - we humans are strange beings and often we seem okay with things when inside we're melting. Be gentle with your little girl.
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The school did know about it. One of the nurses had even talked to me. At the time I had no idea what Alopecia was. She kept asking me if I had purchased any wigs and taking her to the doctor. I believe what happened is the nurse possibly felt that I was neglecting my daughter's health because she wasn't growing hair. You see before summer vacation she had some hair. After vacation she has no hair...anywhere. I think she believes I wasn't taking her to the doctor but I had. The nurse could have spoken to my daughter or even my other daughter that goes to the same school if she didn't want to speak with me or my wife. I just find it strange. I can't think of why or what I might have said for this school to do this. I think it might be because we live in a very poor area of town and this school is use to calling police or CPS a lot.
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Permalink Reply by Cheryl, Co-founder on
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This is not the first case mentioned on AlopeciaWorld.com, in July 2012 another member made a similar blog. "Hair loss equals child abuse"
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Permalink Reply by Margaret Brennan on
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I find it interesting Cheryl that the previous mom never responded to the request for a followup. after all that support not one word. I have to wonder what that was about?
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Permalink Reply by Alayna's dad on
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I have say it. Ignorance of this condition is wide spread. And most surprising, even in the medical profession! I've had to explain it to an ER Doctor, my sister in law(nurse practitioner)and even my child's doctor who did not understand a child with this condition may not develop normal adolescent hair anywhere.
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Permalink Reply by Children's Alopecia Project on
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I am Jeff Woytovich, Founder of the Children's Alopecia Project. Please feel free to use me!! I am here to advocate for children and their families! Info@ChildrensAlopeciaProject.org
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Sorry to hear all your going through right now. Having had dealings with CYPS in the past, I would advise you to be open and honest with them,try to stay calm, even if they seem to be getting there story wrong. (been there with them, but not on this issue) Invite them in, it is stressful, think the school should have spoken to you before jumping in this way. Try to have some documentation from specialist or your family doctor stating about your daughters condition with Alopecia. It would be good to have a voice there for you also, other than you and your wife. And if they decide a family meeting is required, make sure you have someone from the professional field, doctor or someone who can verify your story be there for you too! Will pray it gets sorted quickly and not too stressful for you all. As to the school, maybe you can find out some info how to deal with them in the future...not going in guns blazing, again a letter from the specialist goes along way. Educating is what they need! Hope all goes well.
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Thank you for all the replies. I feel so much better now and have a better understanding on how I should proceed. The CPS investigator did come by. He was very nice and was there just a few minutes. He closed the case. I think I am going to contact an attorney now that we've been branded by CPS. I work police communications in Texas and have never been in trouble with the law or had problems with CPS before.
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Do you really feel that you have been branded by CPS. it sounds like the fellow made the decision right away that there is no issue with you and your child. I might want to get a lawyer or at least talk with one about how to approach the school district. I guess I have the same questions as others - such as - what has your communication been with the school district? And what did they say to you before they put in the report? how did you find out about the report?
I would get a ton of brochures and do some of the suggestions you have been given about dealing with the school.. Now that your case is closed it is time to go for the school - if they are not open to the educational piece I would suggest going to the press. get the word out there someway. Parents are the best advocates for alopecia education.. I know I hate doing the press stuff although i have done it several times. I don't like putting myself out there.anyway. good luck and let us know your next steps. you have a huge team out here rooting for you.
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Permalink Reply by Cindie on
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Just to cover your "backside", I would contact an attorney, let him or her know what happened, and tell him that you were TOLD that the case was "closed." Because unless you receive something in WRITING, his word means nothing. Please trust me on this. I work for a Senator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and many of our constituents have had dealings with CPS on similar issues, and were told that cases were "closed", when, in fact, they were not. Your term "branded", sounds about right. I don't know about Texas, but if CPS is as punitive as some of Texas' laws, then you do need an attorney.
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I can't understand this...sounds outrageous! What state is this? Have you informed the school of your daughter's condition? Do you have contact with your child teacher? What was the reported evidence of neglect?- Certainly (as we all know) being bald (or balding) isn't a neglect issue it is a medical issue! If these are indeed all the details of this situation I would make A LOT of noise....
ps: I am a psychiatric social worker in NYC & have had many dealings with CPS. I have heard just about everything but contacting CPS for a child balding/being bald is a first
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