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This information page is for anyone involved in the life of a child who has experienced a violent injury or traumatic event. This includes parents, health care providers, teachers, clergy or others who are in a position to help the child and his or her family adjust after the event, or refer them for help if the need arises. When a child experiences a violent injury or trauma, it is not unusual for them to have reactions to the violent or traumatic event. Others such as those close to the child or close by when the event occurred can also react negatively to the event. These negative reactions do not always appear right after the event, but can take days or weeks to appear. Following are some tips on how you can help limit the negative impact of a violent injury or trauma for a school-age child. Symptoms to watch out for that might indicate that a child or others may need help in dealing with the experience are also listed on the back of this sheet. Finally, resources are presented that can be used to help deal with negative reactions to violent injury or trauma.
Things you can do to limit the negative impact:
- Listen to child's story about the event.
- Encourage child to share upsetting thoughts and feelings: accept and listen.
- Let child know it is normal to react to a traumatic event.
- Let child know they will feel better over time.
- Respect child's fears and give child time to cope with their fears.
- Allow child to try new ways to cope with fearfulness at bedtime (reading, listening to music, prayers, being told a story, etc.).
- Help child to be with friends and people they know and trust who support them.
- Keep normal routine, however, attempt to limit daily stressors.
- Keep child from re-exposure to frightening events or reminders of the trauma.
- Keep in touch with school about child's needs and progress.
- Give child oppurtunities to express self through art, play, writing, etc.
- Listen for child's mistaken thinking about event (like self-blame or magical thoughts).
- Gently help child have a better understanding of the event.
- Give child oppurtunity for control and choices in daily activities.
- Know that child may get upset on the anniversary of the traumatic event.
- Make sure you are getting the support you need to help you cope.
- Refer and use mental health counseling to help child cope and feel better.
Symptoms to watch for: You may see signs and symptoms after a child has experienced a traumatic event. These can be seen in his or her behavior, thinking, feelings, and physical sensations. Following are examples of these signs and symptoms:
Behaviors
- Withdraws
- Angry outbursts
- Any change in behavior
- Behaving younger than age
- Testing limits more
- Trouble sleeping
- Avoids
- Hypervigilent
- Retells event over and over
- Pretends or acts out the event through play
- Decreased school performance
- Toileting accidents
- Tries to protect parents (for instance, not telling them how upset they are).
Feelings
- Increased irritability
- Increased anxiety and fearfulness
- Feelings of guilt
- Mood or personality changes
Thoughts
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Preoccupied with safety issues--will trauma happen again?
- Decreased ability to pay attention
- Decreased ability to make decisions
- Thinks constantly about the event
- Nightmares
Bodily Sensations
- Complaints of body aches
- Decreased appetite
Resources
- Community centers
- Community mental health centers
- Social service agencies dealing with youth
- School social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, educators
- Family physician; hospital staff
- Clergy
Reference: Children and Trauma: A Guide for Parents and Professionals, 1993, by Cynthia Monahon. (Jossey-Bass Publishers: San Fransisco, CA)
[Keywords: school-aged child trauma]
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