[Shoshana]

Kenya: --Nothing-- you've described sounds like normal infant behavior. This child needs to be seen at a children's hospital (I'd bypass the family pediatrician).

Many of the symptoms you're describing are significant and atypical. These symptoms could fit with many different diagnoses (i.e., autism, sensory integration dysfunction, failure to thrive, attachment disorder, and some sort of neurological impairment) you get the picture. SOMETHING is definitely wrong. I'd hate to be in the position of seeing these symptoms and not be able to do anything about it. The longer appropriate treatment & diagnoses are delayed, the less successful any intervention might be.

One thing you might consider is starting a log and document --everything--. If the social worker still refuses to bring the child to a specialist, I'd consider reporting him/her. Ignoring symptoms this serious, imo, constitutes abuse.

If you've documented the social worker's refusal to allow treatment and /or the mother's refusal to seek treatment, could you take her to a specialist yourself? I believe the specialist, especially seeing signs of self-mutilation and such a low weight in a 10 month old, would report child abuse... You'd have to be a brave soul to pursue this path. It seems like any choice you might make, someone is going to be very angry with you. This child, however, is obviously suffering and at risk.

Good luck.