1. Presented by: Name Month XX, 2012 When Bad Things Happen: Helping Children Cope with Trauma Insert logo of speaker’s organization Insert host logo Insert local partners’ logo

2. Trauma is the failure to recover normally. Adverse experiences don’t cause trauma– subjective experience does. Trauma is a process over time.

3. What causes trauma? Individual factors: –previous experiences –biological vulnerabilities Proximity factors: –Emotional or physical Continuing factors: –lacking a support system –ongoing stressors

4. What are the signs of trauma? Refusal to go to school Clinging to parents—or withdrawing Persistent fears related to the event Sleep disturbances Loss of concentration and irritability Behavior problems Physical complaints without a physical cause Sadness, listlessness, decreased activity

5. Preventing Trauma: What can parents do? Stay calm Help your child feel safe Maintain routines Understand that children cope in different ways Take care of yourself

6. Preventing Trauma: What can parents do? Have an ongoing dialogue Don’t try to be perfect Encourage expression—and distraction Limit media exposure

7. Preventing Trauma: What can educators do? Don’t outsource comfort Have a group discussion Get back to your regular routine Coming to terms takes time

8. Going back to school Get back into school mode Kids can get overwhelmed Temper expectations School refusal? Try a dry run.

9. Be Developmentally Appropriate: Ages 0-2 Act calm Maintain your routines, including breastfeeding Be physically present

10. Be Developmentally Appropriate: Ages 2-5 Model a healthy response Maintain routines Give extra support at bedtime Know how to react if your child acts out Get involved in activities

11. Be Developmentally Appropriate: Ages 6-11 Keep things as “normal” as possible Have a factual conversation Draw out kids who do not talk

12. Be Developmentally Appropriate: Ages 12-18 Be there Open the door for discussion Consider peer groups Help teens take action Watch out for substance abuse

13. When is it time to seek help? The reaction continues The reaction interferes with daily life, functioning, and interactions with others Your child: –becomes emotionally numb and detached –experiences panic attacks –has thoughts of wanting to hurt himself or others –starts to hear voices or see things that are not there –becomes paranoid

14. Additional Resources [Include your contact information] [Add information on resources in your area] Learn more about trauma on childmind.org

15. Thank you for joining us to Speak Up for Kids!