1. Youth Development and Trauma
Division of Juvenile Justice

2. Brain Development
Exercise (size of adult brain)

3. Brain Development The brain plays a part in all that we do.
Brain develops from the inside out
Physical (first to develop) responsible for life functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure
Emotional development (feelings such as anger, happy, sad)
Cognitive development is the thinking part of the brain such as planning, reasoning, consequences, impulsivity

4. Brain Development Early childhood is crucial to how the brain develops
Experiences as a child impact how our brains develop. When kids feel safe and calm, they are able to learn without distractions
Talking
Walking
Play
Attachment
Social/emotional

5. Brain Development
Both positive and negative experiences cause changes in the brain
Both positive and negative experiences can have a powerful impact on the brain
The brain strengthens connections through repetition and practice
Even as adults, brains are capable of learning and changing

6. Adolescent Brain Development
Adolescence is like giving a teenager a snow machine with :
A new engine with a lot of horsepower (physical growth)
A sensitive throttle that can go from 0 to80 in a few seconds (emotions)
And poor brakes with no repair parts due to come in for years (thinking)

7. Cognitive Development
Prefrontal lobe: Science now knows that the prefrontal lobe is developing and maturing up through the mid-20’s.
Decision making
Thinking and planning ahead
Analyze risks and rewards

8. Cognitive Development
Remember your teenage years: Did you ever do anything that could have involved the police or Village Police Officer (VPO)
What has changed in your thinking and behaviors since being a teenager:
Self-control
Ability to consider short-term and long-term consequences
Susceptibility to peer pressure

9. What Happens to a Teenager When…
They have a mental health or behavioral problems
They have experienced trauma

10. Trauma
Traumatic experiences are based on the individual views the situation or event and can include:
Abuse: physical, emotional, sexual
Neglect
Being victimized
Domestic Violence
Violence in the community/village
Accident/illness
Witnessing suicide or suicide attempt
School shooting
Not everyone who has an adverse experience is traumatized

11. Trauma Changes the Developing Brain

12. Trauma
When we are in danger our brain has a natural alarm system alerting us to seek safety
Trauma can cause the alarm system in our brain to go off too easily or to shut down

13. Responding to Trauma Fight Flight Dissociation
Freezing (emotionally shut down)
Self-harm
To block out emotional pain
To start feeling again as too numb

14. Symptoms of Trauma Symptoms of trauma can include: Nightmares
Flashbacks
“Fight or flight”
Disassociation
Self-harm (cutting, burning, head banging)
Anxious, unable to calm down
Overreact to normal situations
Always assuming someone may be angry, hurtful (if the person is not smiling then something must be wrong)
Feel like walking on egg shells (always on alert)
Problems paying attention
Aggression towards others

15. Long-Term Impact of Trauma
Long-term impact of trauma can increase an individual’s risk for:
Mental health or behavior problem
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Depression
Isolation/Withdrawal
Sleep problems
Substance abuse
Alcohol, drugs and tobacco can harm the teenage brain
Teenagers with trauma are higher risk to become addicts than adults
Physical health problems (bedwetting, stomach aches, headaches)
Problems in school (learning difficulties)

16. Recovering from Trauma
What adults can do:
Must create safety (from a trauma perspective, individuals act out when they feel unsafe)
Providing structure and consistency can help create a sense of safety
Setting limits can increase a sense of safety but set limits appropriately
No violence
No yelling
Provide support—anyone can do this
Ask the person what they are most worried about
Listen
Be available

17. Recovering from Trauma
What adults can do:
Teach calming skills, coping skills, problem-solving skills
Learn to recognize physical signs of distress
Teach relaxation/meditation (drumming, deep breathing, fishing, berry picking)
Help them find ways to express their feelings (verbally, writing, art, story telling, singing, dance)
Encourage physical activity/sports

18. Recovering from Trauma
What adults can do:
Teach calming skills, coping skills, problem-solving skills
Learn to recognize physical signs of distress
Teach relaxation/meditation (drumming, deep breathing, fishing, berry picking)
Help them find ways to express their feelings (verbally, writing, art, story telling, singing, dance)
Encourage physical activity/sports

19. Recovering from Trauma
What adults can do:
Build on strengths which can include developing spiritual beliefs and cultural identity
Break the cycle
Remember there is always hope