1. Parenting Through Crisis

2. The Event Produces fear or occurrence to the risk of life/injury. -This activates the stress response -This activates the stress response Disrupts levels of communication. -Inability to communicate safety and/or support prolongs the stress response. -Inability to communicate safety and/or support prolongs the stress response. Your child is in proximity of the event. -Involved, nearby, brushes with, knowledge of. -Involved, nearby, brushes with, knowledge of. Your child has a relationship with those affected by the event. -Level of connection ranging from close to acquaintance, seen before, same age, knew of, etc. -Level of connection ranging from close to acquaintance, seen before, same age, knew of, etc. The event encapsulates your child’s environment. - The entire school is damaged or threatened. - The entire school is damaged or threatened.

3. What is Critical Incident Stress? A natural reaction of a normal person to an abnormal event. Such an extraordinary event can produce physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses immediately or delayed.

4. Parents News of event activates the perception of child being at risk Inability to communicate heightens stress Lack of information heightens stress. = Increase sense of helplessness Only until safety is perceived, the stress response remains activated.

5. After the Event Physical safety and order being restored. Stress response deactivated Find a way to attend to your reactions as the child will take cues from you.

6. Children’s CIS Reactions Based on Developmental Age Preschool ages 1-5 Elementary School 6-11 Middle School 12-14 High School 15-18

7. Preschool 1-5 Developmental Milestones Attachment, bonding Exploring- mobile, testing new boundaries Security- maintain safe home base, receives reassurance to separate Disrupting Event Child displays regressive behaviors Increase clinging, thumb sucking, potty trouble, sleep disruption Healthy Responses Doses of love, affection, attention and reassurance Return to routine Do not watch news coverage on TV with child in room

8. Elementary School 6-11 Developmental challenges Managed separation from home Self esteem and confidence Role and fantasy play Inquisitive Sibling rivalry Disrupting Event Fantasy/realty blurred Affect and emotions out of sync (excited to see a fire truck) Loss of contact with outside world and structure Regressive behavior- same as preschool behaviors plus aggressiveness with siblings, impulsive, isolation and self absorption Healthy Responses Return to routine and structure Daily discussions to intercept and clarify child distortions of the event Return to play Contact school to understand how they will address the event. Hugs and reassurances.

9. Middle School 12-14 Developmental Challenges Transitional period The height of awkwardness Peer group and the opposite sex Emergence of personality Disrupting Event Struggle with getting back in the flow of their busy schedule Resistiveness Decline in school performance Loss of interest in activities Healthy Responses Respond with the inclusion of family and friends Revisit history of positive experiences Reassurance that things will be ok Contact school Hugs

10. High School 14-18 Developmental Challenges Peer acceptance Separation/Individuation Limit testing Identity formation Disrupting Event Emotional intensity and swings Denial of its impact/terribly frightened inside More rebellious or isolative Somatic complaints Substance Abuse Life changing decisions (not going to college) Healthy Responses Create or identify safe havens (at home, school counselor, drop-in centers) Support positive peer movement (rally) Return to routine. Delay life changing decisions Respect teens need to self work Hugs if the let you, Listen if they’ll speak to you

11. Summation Remember reactions to traumatic events are normal. It is the event that is abnormal. Tend to your stress responses as well. Children will take cues from you. Understand the developmental challenges of your child to identify how your child was affected and the return to routine. Contact school to understand their approach to the event. Seek professional assistance if symptoms or behaviors do not return to their pre-event function.