Definition

● A response to an adverse external event or series of events

● A type of damage to the mind

● Surpasses a child’s ordinary coping skills

● Renders a child temporarily helpless and unable to integrate emotions

● Results in intense fear, horror, or helplessness

● Behavior may be dysregulated, disorganized, or agitated

 

Situations that Cause Trauma

● Physical or sexual abuse

● Abandonment

● Neglect

● Death or loss of a loved one such as divorce

● Witnessing domestic violence

● Automobile or other serious accidents

● Life-threatening health situations

● Witnessing or experiencing community violence

● Witnessing police activity or having a close relative incarcerated

● Natural disaster

● Acts or threats of terrorism

● Living in chronically chaotic environments where housing and finances are not steady

 

Impact of Trauma on the Brain

● ‘Cortisol Flood’ - risk for disease including diabetes, heart conditions, and several others

● Disrupts mood regulators (amygdala) creating persistent dysregulation

 

Impact of Trauma on a Child’s Worldview

Typical Development w/Secure Attachment

● Nurturing & stable attachments with adults
● Belief in a predictable and benevolent world / generally good things will happen to me
● Feeling of positive self-worth / others will see my strengths
● Optimism about the future
● Feeling that I can have a positive impact on the world

Development w/Trauma or Toxic Stress

● Basic mistrust of adults/inability to depend on others

● Belief that the world is an unsafe place / bad things will happen and they are usually my fault

● Assumption that others will not like me

● Fear and pessimism about the future

● Feelings of hopelessness and a lack of control

 

Impact of Trauma on Learning

● Organizing narrative material

● Understanding cause and effect

● Taking another’s perspective

● Attention, memory, cognition

● Regulating emotions

● Executive functioning

● Engaging in curriculum

 

What Can We Do?

● Understand that all behavior is communication

● Remember - Relationships Heal

● Be aware and bring into harmony

 

How Do We Express Harmony with a Child?

● Eye contact - get on their level

● Tone of voice

● Putting needs of self aside to focus on the needs of the child

 

How Can We Help?

● Notice behavioral changes

● Create an environment where they can be heard

● Provide “sensory breaks” during times of hyperarousal or dissociation

● Maintain routines. Returning to normalcy communicates safety

● Give choices. Provide choices so the child can feel in control.

● Increase the level of support and encouragement

● Set clear, firm, expectations and limits for inappropriate behavior with logical consequences ahead of time

 

Triggers

● Be sensitive to the cues in the environment that may cause a reaction in the traumatized child

● Anticipate difficult times and offer additional support. Many kinds of situations may be reminders. If you are able to identify triggers, you can help by preparing the child for the situation.

● A child might be very sensitive to touch and/or situations where they feel trapped

● A child may increase problem behaviors near a traumatic event anniversary