Providing Support to Traumatized Children Center for Development of Human Services Institute for Community Health Promotion SUNY Buffalo State © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Abilities Define trauma. Explain key terms used when discussing trauma. Recognize how trauma can impact children at different stages of development. Appreciate the impact of trauma on children’s positive development and overall well-being. Select strategies that support and nurture traumatized children in their homes. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

TRAUMA © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Child Trauma Histories: Most Frequent Exposure Types 1.Child emotional abuse 2.Loss of a caregiver 3.Impaired caregiver 4.Domestic violence 5.Childhood sexual abuse © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

ALARM Normal Whew! Normal © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Fight or Flight Response © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

ALARM Normal Whew! Normal © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

TRAUMA © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Brain Stem Cerebellum Limbic System (amygdala) Cortex © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Prefrontal Cortex - Functions - Controlling impulses Inhibiting inappropriate behavior Initiating appropriate behavior Working memory Organizing things Setting priorities Decision-making Problem-solving Empathy Sensitivity to feedback Insight © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

on The brains of traumatized children become hyper-vigilant, focusing on non-verbal cues of possible threat. They are in a persistent state of arousal and anxiety. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Impact of Complex Trauma Takes energy away from cognitive development Neglect affects organic brain changes –Overdeveloped amygdala –Underdeveloped prefrontal cortex Affects brain hemisphere integration: –Overwhelming emotion vs. rational thought –Flooding –Emotional responses can’t be interpreted or identified © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Impact of Trauma on Child - Challenges - Trust Autonomy Independence Intimacy Self-care Memory Cognition Intense, unstable relationships and interactions © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Chronic activation of neural pathways in fear creates: indelible memories; attitudinal changes; a shift in global perceptions. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

“Trauma makes you stupid” © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria for PTSD Exposure to one or more traumatic event(s) in which the person faced actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence. Symptoms: –Appear in three symptom clusters: avoidance/numbing hyper-arousal re-experiencing –Last for >1 month –Cause clinically significant distress or impairment © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Ages and Stages of Development Infant (Birth- 1) Toddler (1-3) Preschooler (3-5) School Age Child (5-12) Adolescent (12-19) © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Stages of Development Birth -1 year INFANT (2-3years) TODDLER ( 3-5 years) PRESCHOOLER (5-12 years) SCHOOL AGE (12-19 years) YOUTH Be a Self-Starter Trust Grow up and Grow Away Feel Competent Be a Separate Person © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Infants and Toddlers © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Preschooler © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

School-Age Children © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Adolescents © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Recognizing Traumatized Children © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Working with Traumatized Children: Outcomes - Phase–Based Approach- 1.Safety in one’s environment; 2.Skill development in emotional regulation and interpersonal functioning; 3.Meaning-making about past trauma; 4.Enhancing resiliency and integration in social networks. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Trauma recovery requires relational connections. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Providing Support to Traumatized Children © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

First Aid for Traumatized Children © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Helping Children Heal © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Avoidance/Numbing Hyper-arousal Re-enactment © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

All behaviors that are not about safety can be ignored. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Tirana Small Group Activity 1.Select a reader. 2.Read the case-study. 3.Answer questions. 4.Be prepared to report back in 15 minutes. © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

I will use information from this training to… __________________ © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Online Resources The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Zero to Three The Trauma Center Surviving Childhood: An Introduction to the Impact of Trauma on Children © 2014 New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

Unregistered and want training credit? Before class ends, enter the following into (private) text to Matthew Fildes (in his absence, to the instructor): Full legal name Male or female Home address (no P.O. boxes) Area code and phone number address (2 on same computer must list 2 addresses) Foster care agency address (e.g., Harlem Dowling, Westside Center, th Ave, NY, NY 10027) Thank you.