Trauma lens in child development

Transcript

We all want to help our children and families to reach their full potential. Experiencing trauma and toxic stress impacts children and families ability to do this. Research tells us adverse childhood experiences stay with us as we grow, impacting long-term medical, developmental, psychological and socio-economic outcomes.

Identifying early patterns of trauma is vital to help. A child's brain when experiencing extreme or prolonged periods of stress, we'll learn to adapt to stay safe and threatening environments. However adaptations don't always work day to day, when learning, with friends, at home.

Identifying trauma related behaviours and cognitive and neurodevelopmental challenges is important in providing the right help to our children and families. Adaptive behaviours and developmental difficulties can look the same, making it hard for us to untangle.

Children who've experienced trauma need predictable safe environments, to allow their body to calm and work at its best. Children with additional developmental difficulties need scaffolding to reduce stress responses, when help is needed.

We all have a part to play to build child and family resilience. For many families, visiting us will be the first time they have talked about their trauma. How we respond will build capacity to trust and feel safe in helping environments.

You can make a difference by,

• providing a welcoming environment,
• introduce yourself your role and what will happen in the session to allow a sense of control
• be curious about family history.

Before developmental diagnosis,

• consider a period of stability,
• expect emotion be calm and aware of your own reactions
• working with children and families who experience trauma is challenging prioritize supervision, self-care and training.

Link with support services knowing the family disclosed to you and may need your help to engage with others.