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. What is trauma? Trauma occurs when a child experiences an intense event that threatens or causes harm to his or her emotional and physical well-being

3. What influences traumatic stress? Individual factors: –previous experiences –biological vulnerabilities Proximity factors: –emotional or physical Continuing factors: –support systems at home and elsewhere –ongoing stressors

4. What are the signs of trauma? Intense and ongoing emotional upset or emotional numbing Refusal to go to school Clinging to parents—or withdrawing Persistent fears related to the event Sleep disturbances Difficulties with attention Irritability Behavior problems Physical complaints without a physical cause Sadness, listlessness, decreased activity Loss of Interest in pleasure or normal activities

5. Recovering from Traumatic Stress: What can parents/caregivers 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 Traumatic Stress: 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 Establish appropriate 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? After the traumatic event 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. How can mental health professionals help? They can asses and provide care consistent with the child’s level of need since exposure to the trauma They can foster coping and problem solving skills for kids and families They can educate kids and their supports about common reactions to trauma They can help kids and families reestablish normal roles and routines They can provide trauma-informed treatment that is evidence-based and culturally informed

15. Additional Resources [Include your contact information] [Add information on resources in your area] Psychologist locator - http://locator.apa.orghttp://locator.apa.org NCTSN - http://nctsn.org/resources/audiences/parents- caregivers/finding-help http://nctsn.org/resources/audiences/parents- caregivers/finding-help Learn more about trauma on childmind.org

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