The Child Trauma section provides information and resources for parents and caregivers to help their child who has been the victim of a traumatic event. We offer important information specific to childhood trauma including understanding the impact of trauma on children, recognizing the signs and symptoms of childhood traumatic stress, learning about when to worry and how to get help, and what type of treatments are available locally as well as nationally. We also provide an extensive resource library filled with publications, facts and figures, links to state and national organizations working on child trauma research, advocacy, and treatment, and frequently asked questions.
Search a directory of Connecticut providers trained in some evidence-based practices for children and families with behavioral health needs, here. Evidence-based practices are those supported by research showing that they work for most children.
Learn more about the Child Health and Development Institute’s Child Trauma work.
Introduction to Child Trauma
National studies estimate that as many as 71% of all children are exposed to potential trauma before age 18. Here in Connecticut, it is estimated that between 60 – 80% of all children have experienced at least one potentially traumatic event.
Trauma refers to an overwhelming, unanticipated danger or event that cannot be mediated or processed by the individual. Traumatic events are a direct threat to a person’s well-being. When confronted with trauma, a child may not have the ability to cope with the experience. Traumatic experiences often lead to “fight or flight” reactions, which are normal methods for decreasing external danger. During this reaction, the child either feels the overwhelming urge to get away from the traumatic experience or sometimes feels frozen and unable to escape. It can also be an experience that results in loss of internal control.
Traumatic events can result in strong, overwhelming emotions that are difficult to contain. The person feels like they no longer have control over their reactions. Some events are more likely to be traumatic than others and people can have very different responses to the same event. When a child experiences trauma it can affect their daily lives and their ability to get along with others. Having reactions to trauma immediately following the event is a normal reaction. The time for concern is when unusual symptoms that interfere with a child’s daily life continue and don’t seem to improve with time.
Examples of “potentially traumatic events” for children:
- Physical abuse, neglect, and/or maltreatment
- Sexual abuse
- Family, school, or community violence
- Death of a loved one, especially a parent or caregiver
- Domestic violence
- Criminal victimization
- Medical trauma
- Separation from a parent or caregiver
- Traumatic loss
- Accidents/fires
- Natural disasters
- War or terrorism
Children exposed to potentially traumatic events can develop chronic traumatic stress reactions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, behavioral challenges, and other mental health issues. Traumatic stress reactions can sometimes be mistaken for and misdiagnosed as other disorders.
Child Traumatic Stress
Children who suffer from child traumatic stress have been exposed to one or more traumas over the course of their lives and develop reactions that affect their daily lives after the traumatic events have ended. Not all children exposed to a traumatic event will develop traumatic stress. Children are individuals and react to situations in their own unique ways.
Traumatic stress reactions can include (but are not limited to):
- Intense and ongoing emotional reactions
- Depressive symptoms
- Anxiety
- Behavioral changes
- Difficulties with attention
- Problems at school
- Nightmares
- Difficulty sleeping and eating
- Aches and pains (that do not appear to have a separate medical cause)
Children who suffer from traumatic stress often have these types of symptoms when reminded in some way of the traumatic event. Traumatic stress can result in a child/adolescent seeing images of the traumatic event in their minds and interrupt their thoughts. Children can experience nightmares or have a strong physical reaction to traumatic reminders that may occur throughout daily lives. In addition, children who have experienced a traumatic event sometimes avoid any situation, person or place that reminds them of the event. In some cases children can try to “block” out the event and repress troubling memories. These symptoms can be quite concerning and result in difficulties at home, school and in the child’s relationship with others. See the section called “Where to Start” for more information on recognizing symptoms of child traumatic stress.
Secondary stressors that can result from the initial trauma and further affect the impacted child include:
- Changes in family living circumstances (resources)
- Change in community resources
- Change in school
- Change in peers
- Change in family constellation and function
- Change in availability and utilization of social support
- Caregivers needing to assume new responsibilities
- Medical / surgical care, rehabilitation
- Legal proceedings
Untreated traumatic stress can affect the development of a child and his/her ability to function at home and at school. There are severe consequences to untreated traumatic stress in children including potential changes to biological, neurological and social development. Child traumatic stress can be associated with an increase in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use or unsafe sexual behaviors. Some studies have linked early experiences of trauma with greater prevalence of health and behavioral health problems (heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, stroke, suicide) later in life. It can be argued that traumatic stress is the single greatest preventable cause of mental illness.
In some cases, child traumatic stress symptoms may or may not meet the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Children can show PTSD symptoms differently than adults. These symptoms will vary by the child’s age and developmental level. Not all children who show signs of traumatic stress will be diagnosed with PTSD.
The good news is that traumatic stress in children is treatable, and there are highly effective treatments available to help children who need more support to recover. In Connecticut and across the country, there are many best practices and evidence-based treatments available that have been shown to significantly reduce traumatic stress symptoms and restore children to healthy functioning. Please see the section “What Are Effective Treatments for Child Traumatic Stress” for more on trauma treatments.
Where to Start
Signs and Symptoms of Child Traumatic Stress
It is important to understand the difference between normal stress and traumatic stress. For example, if your child has a math test and is feeling stressed or anxious, or if your child needs a tetanus shot and feels scared or upset, these are normal stressors. Parents or caregivers can help children through these daily stressors, and they rarely have lasting effects. By contrast, true traumatic stress threatens the well-being of the child and their ability to function in daily life.
The following are examples of some of the post-traumatic stress symptoms that a child/adolescent may experience after a traumatic event. These acute reactions are normal in the short-term, and may include:
- Sleep disturbances: Nightmares, night waking
- Appetite changes: Lack of appetite, overeating
- Separation anxiety: Child does not want to go to school, leave a parent/caregiver for an activity, or playdate
- Hypervigilance: Constantly scanning the situation for threats, overly aroused, over-stimulated
- Physical complaints: Aches and pains, nausea (with no apparent medical cause)
- Irritability: Easily angered, aggressive
- Emotional upset: Crying easily
- Regressive behaviors: Reverting back to younger behaviors, losing previously acquired skills
- Withdrawal: Wanting to be alone all the time
- Blunted emotions: No emotional reaction, emotional numbness
- Distractibility: Cannot focus, daydreaming, cannot remember the trauma
- Changes in play: Play that re-enacts the trauma or somber play
- Changes in social functioning: Not enjoying or interacting with family or peers
When to Worry
All children facing traumatic experiences are likely to develop some (but usually not all) of the short-term symptoms described above. These reactions in the immediate aftermath of an event can be normal – and some are even normal for children at different developmental stages even when they have not been exposed to trauma.
However, if these reactions persist, and/or if a child is displaying more than one of these symptoms, there may be reason for concern. A child should be referred for a trauma-focused assessment, screening, or treatment: a) when symptoms persist for weeks and months beyond the trauma exposure, b) when changes in the child’s behavior or mood are severe or life-threatening (seek emergency care), and/or c) to support the child’s and family’s recovery in the acute aftermath of a traumatic event. Parents and caregivers typically know their children best. If your child has been exposed to a potentially traumatic event and seems to be suffering or having a hard time with their daily life, you should seek help from a qualified professional. Your pediatrician’s office is a great place to start.
When post-traumatic symptoms become chronic, they can interfere with a child’s day-to-day functioning and cause many difficulties. The following are four types of chronic symptoms that can persist:
Four major symptom areas for chronic post-traumatic stress
- Traumatic Repetitions
- Traumatic play
- Play reenactment
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks and dissociation
- Distressed when reminded
- Somatic (bodily) complaints when reminded
- Avoidance & Fear
- Avoids thinking or talking about event
- Avoids reminders of event (people, places, and things)
- Impaired recollection or memory
- New fears (e.g., separation, being alone, darkness)
- Sense of a foreshortened future or impending doom
- Increased arousal
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Decreased attention or concentration
- Hyperactivity
- Irritability and changes in mood
- Increased aggression
- Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
- Decreased responsiveness numbing & regression
- Diminished interest in play and normal activities
- Social withdrawal, peer difficulties or feelings of detachment and isolation
- Restricted range of emotion
- Developmental regression
Be aware that children who seek help for these symptoms are at risk of being misdiagnosed for a variety of disorders, including: ADHD, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, specific phobias, and learning/academic difficulties – especially if the traumatic event is not revealed or discussed. It is important to talk with your primary care doctor or mental health provider about your child’s symptoms and about any potentially traumatic experience you are aware of, and ask for a referral to a mental health provider who can conduct a thorough trauma screening or assessment. If your doctor is not aware of providers who offer trauma-focused treatment in your area, you can consult our referral list of agencies in Connecticut who provide these services or call 211. See section “Trauma-Focused Services and Resources.”
Mental health clinicians who conduct assessments will work with parents or caregivers to complete trauma screenings or assessments for children ages 3-18. Depending upon the child’s developmental level, a child can complete an interview by themselves with a mental health specialist around the age of 7. Trauma screening typically takes under 10 minutes, depending on the number of traumas the child has experienced as well as the age of the child. More in-depth assessments may take a bit longer, but typically can be completed in one meeting. See the next sections on “Effective Treatments for Child Traumatic Stress” and “Trauma-Focused Services and Resources.”
Effective Treatments for Child Traumatic Stress
The good news is that you do not have to worry alone. Traumatic stress in children is treatable and there are highly effective treatments available to help children and their families. There are different types of interventions that focus on acute (immediately following trauma), trauma-specific treatment (short-term and long-term) and intensive (in home, residential, hospital).
Examples of Acute (immediately following trauma) Interventions to Help Children Who are Victims of Trauma:
- Provide support so that the child and family feel safe and secure
- Advocate a supportive role by caregivers and others
- Maintain healthy relationships with the child’s primary caregivers and other close relatives/friends
- Reduce unnecessary secondary exposures & separations
- Help the child to return to typical routines (such as school) as soon as possible
- Facilitate open but not forced communication with the child about his/her reactions to the traumatic event
- Focus on constructive responses
- Explain to child in developmentally appropriate terms
- Encourage and support help-seeking behaviors
- Create a supportive milieu for the spectrum of reactions and different courses of recovery
- Monitoring and/or referring child for a clinical trauma evaluation
Effective Interventions for Child Traumatic Stress
The following is a list of some treatments that are available in Connecticut. Treatment models that research shows can reduce child traumatic stress are called “evidence-based treatments” or “evidence-based practices.” To learn about other effective intervention models for child traumatic stress, visit SAMHSA’s Evidence-Based Resource Center.
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based, 16-20 session treatment model for children who have experienced trauma. TF-CBT targets children ages 4-21 and their caregivers who have experienced a significant traumatic event(s) and are experiencing chronic symptoms related to the trauma exposure. TF-CBT is a time-limited intervention usually lasting five to six months and involving outpatient sessions with both the child and caregiver. There has been strong evidence to support its ability in reducing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression in both children and their caregivers. TF-CBT helps the child develop and enhance their ability to cope with and regulate their responses to troubling memories, sensations and experiences. Over time, through the course of treatment, the child develops a trauma narrative that helps them tell their story in a safe, supportive setting. Learn more about TF-CBT.
Cognitive behavioral intervention for trauma in schools (CBITS) and Bounce Back
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) and Bounce Back are school-based group interventions that have been shown to reduce PTSD and depression symptoms and psychosocial dysfunction in children who have experienced trauma. CBITS is used in middle and high schools, while Bounce Back is an adaptation of CBITS for elementary-aged students. Schools are increasingly viewed as a critical setting for the delivery of health and behavioral/mental health services. The linkages between trauma exposure, physical health, behavioral health and academic functioning underscore the importance of integrating trauma-informed care within educational settings. Learn more about CBITS and Bounce Back.
child and family traumatic stress intervention (CFTSI)
Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI) is a 4-6 session preventative model for children aged 7-18 in the days and weeks following a traumatic event or disclosure of a past traumatic event. The goals of CFTSI are to reduce traumatic stress symptoms, increase caregiver and child communication, provide skills for the child to cope with trauma reactions, reduce other external stressors on the child and assess the child’s need for longer-term treatment. Learn more about CFTSI.
Modular approach to therapy for children with anxiety, depression, trauma, or conduct problems (MATCH-ADTC)
MATCH-ADTC is an evidence-based treatment designed for children ages 7 – 15. Unlike most treatment approaches that focus on single disorders, MATCH is designed to treat several of the most common childhood mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, as well as disruptive conduct such as the problems associated with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). The MATCH model synthesizes decades of research on evidence-based treatments and strategies. Learn more about MATCH-ADTC.
Trauma affect regulation: guide for education and therapy (TARGET)
TARGET is an educational and therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). TARGET is based on a seven-step sequence of skills – the FREEDOM Steps – that are designed to help youth and adults understand and control their trauma-related reactions triggered by current daily life stresses. The goal of TARGET is to help youth and adults recognize their personal strengths using the FREEDOM Steps, and to use these skills consistently and purposefully when they experience stress reactions in their current lives. TARGET both empowers and challenges PTSD trauma survivors to become highly focused and mindful, to make good decisions, and to build healthy relationships. To learn more, visit the Advanced Trauma Solutions website.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a cognitive-behavioral treatment approach with two key components: a behavioral, problem-solving focus blended with acceptance-based strategies, and an emphasis on dialectical processes. “Dialectical” refers to the issues involved in treating patients with multiple disorders and to the type of thought processes and behavioral styles used in the treatment strategies. DBT has five components: (1) skills training; (2) individual behavioral treatment plans; (3) access to a therapist outside a clinical setting, homework, and inclusion of family in treatment; (4) structuring of the environment (programmatic emphasis on reinforcement of adaptive behaviors); and (5) therapist team consultation group. DBT emphasizes balancing behavioral change, problem-solving, and emotional regulation with validation, mindfulness, and acceptance of patients. Therapists follow a detailed procedural manual. Learn more about how DBT is used with children and adolescents here.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that uses a structured eight-phase approach to address the past, present, and future aspects of a traumatic or distressing memory that has been stored in the mind of the victim as a dysfunctional memory. The goal of EMDR therapy is to process these distressing memories, reducing their lingering influence and allowing clients to develop effective coping mechanisms. Learn more from the EMDR Institute.
Child first
Child First is an innovative, evidence-based model which effectively decreases emotional and behavioral problems, developmental and learning problems, and abuse and neglect among very vulnerable young children (prenatal through age six years) and families. Child First directly addresses these risks through 1) comprehensive, integrated services and supports to the whole family, which decreases risk and increases the capacity of the parent to nurture and support the child, and 2) home-based, parent-child intervention, which builds the nurturing relationship, protects the developing brain and optimizes child emotional development, learning, and health. The effectiveness of the Child First model has been rigorously researched through a randomized clinical trial, demonstrating markedly improved outcomes in child mental health and language, parental stress and depression, protective service involvement, and access to community-based services. Learn more about Child First.
Risking Connection
Risking Connection® is a trauma training curriculum and training program, rooted in relational and attachment theory. It provides a framework for understanding the wide array of symptoms and behaviors that land traumatized people in a wide range of mental health settings. It complements other techniques used to treat traumatized children, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, and TF-CBT. Since its inception, the program has been implemented in independent living programs, residential treatment, and outpatient mental health, among other settings.
Trauma-focused services and resources
State and Local Resources:
Find a Connecticut provider of evidence-based, trauma-focused treatments for children: Connecticut Evidence-Based Practices Directory
CT 211 Infoline: Call for free help finding a mental health provider or to reach Mobile Crisis Services
Connecticut Urgent Crisis Centers for Children and Youth: Free walk-in clinics for children and youth experiencing mental health crises
The Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers
UConn Health Psychological Trauma Clinic
Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic Inc.
Child Development-Community Policing Program (CD-CP)
Yale Center for Traumatic Stress and Recovery (YCTSR)
National Resources
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)-This website provides information about the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study and allows you to answer questions about past experiences related to trauma to get your personal ACE score.
Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress – This website offers parents and caregivers and providers information on screening for child traumatic stress, information on effective treatments and general fact sheets on how to cope.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network – This website contains resources and information for parents and caregivers about child trauma as well as information about effective and evidence-based treatments.
Evidence-Based Practice Resource Center– The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) contains information about evidence-based treatment programs for child trauma, both locally and nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trauma occurs when a child experiences an intense event that threatens or causes harm to his or her emotional and physical well-being. Some events are more likely to be traumatic than others and people can have very different responses to the same event. When a child experiences trauma, it can affect their daily lives and their ability to get along with others. Trauma is different than everyday stress. If your child gets nervous before a test at school or going to a new place, you can help them through this type of stress. This is not considered a traumatic event. Trauma is an extreme event that threatens the psychological and physical well-being of the child.
Examples of “potentially traumatic events”
- Physical abuse and maltreatment
- Sexual abuse
- Family, school, or community violence
- Death of a loved one, (especially a parent or caregiver)
- Domestic violence
- Community violence and criminal victimization
- Medical trauma and chronic illness
- Separation from a caregiver
- Traumatic loss
- Accidents/fires
- Natural Disasters
- War/terrorism
When children experience a traumatic event, they may react in both a psychological and physical way. Their heart rate may increase, and they may begin to sweat, to feel agitated, to feel “butterflies” in their stomach, and to become emotionally upset. These reactions are distressing, but in fact they’re normal, they’re our bodies’ way of protecting us and preparing us to confront danger. However, some children who have experienced a traumatic event will have longer lasting reactions that can interfere with their physical and emotional health.
Traumatic stress reactions includes some of the following: intense and ongoing emotional reactions, depressive symptoms, anxiety, behavioral changes, difficulties with attention, problems at school, nightmares, difficulty sleeping and eating, and aches and pains, among others. Many children who have experienced a traumatic event often avoid any situation, person or place that reminds them of the event or in some cases, many “block” out or try to forget the event but still react to reminders of the event. In some cases, children may develop chronic reactions to the event causing them to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
If you are concerned about your child, it is best if you consult a qualified mental health specialist who has been trained to work with traumatic stress reactions. If left untreated, traumatic stress reactions can develop into more serious problems. To find a list of providers across Connecticut, please follow the link here or call 211.
Parents and caregivers can learn all they can about traumatic stress in children by reading the kidsmentalhealthinfo.com website, using the resource library within the Childhood Trauma section of the site and linking to other sites that we provide as resources.
Parents and caregivers can also:
- Provide support so that the child and family feel safe and secure;
- Advocate a supportive role by caregivers and others;
- Maintain healthy relationships with the child’s primary caregivers and other close relatives/friends;
- Help the child to return to typical routines as much as possible;
- Facilitate open but not forced communication with the child about his/her reactions to the traumatic event;
- Be patient and tolerant of your child during this time;
- Let the child know that you appreciate the seriousness of what they just went through;
- Reassure the child that the traumatic event was not their fault.
Help the child deal with grief from the loss of a loved one, help them through the grieving process by allowing them to be sad, talk about good memories of the person they lost, and try to learn as much as possible about how to talk to children about grief. Click here to learn more about traumatic grief from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
It is important to understand that most children will likely develop some stress reactions if they have been the victim of a traumatic experience. In many cases, some acute reactions are normal for a child in the aftermath of a recent traumatic event. These reactions should get better over time. However, not all children will experience child traumatic stress. Whether or not a child develops difficulties depends upon the individual child, the severity of the event, and whether or not the child has a history of previous trauma exposure or mental health concerns. It is also important what kind of support he/she has at home and that the parent or caregivers can help the child cope. If the child’s traumatic stress reactions get worse, not better, over a long period of time after the event, the parent/caregiver should seek help. As a first step, it is helpful to consult with a mental health provider who can conduct a trauma-focused assessment and offer the appropriate treatment. Although it can be a difficult first step to take, children often respond well to trauma-focused treatment and symptoms can begin to improve in several months. Click here to search from a list of providers in Connecticut.
Symptoms of PTSD in children (also referred to more broadly as “childhood traumatic stress”) typically fall into four major categories:
- Traumatic Repetitions
- Traumatic play
- Play reenactment
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks and dissociation
- Distressed when reminded
- Somatic (bodily) complaints when reminded
- Avoidance & Fear
- Avoids thinking or talking about event
- Avoids reminders of event (people, places, and things)
- Impaired recollection or memory
- New fears (e.g., separation, being alone, darkness)
- Sense of a foreshortened future or impending doom
- Increased arousal
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Decreased attention or concentration
- Hyperactivity
- Irritability and changes in mood
- Increased aggression
- Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response
- Decreased responsiveness numbing & regression
- Diminished interest in play and normal activities
- Social withdrawal, peer difficulties or feelings of detachment and isolation
- Restricted range of emotion
- Developmental regression
These symptoms can be very concerning and interfere with normal day-to-day functioning. If a child experiences any of these symptoms for many weeks and months after the traumatic event, the parent/caregiver should seek help from a professional.
It is important to talk with your primary care doctor about your child’s symptoms to help you determine if your child’s symptoms are unusual or worrisome and if you should seek help. You can ask your pediatrician for a referral to a mental health specialist who can conduct a more thorough assessment or provide treatment if needed. Some pediatricians may not be trained or familiar in diagnosing traumatic stress and you may need to seek a consultation directly at a local provider who offers specialized treatment. A list of providers in Connecticut can be found here. Most providers accept many forms of insurance, Medicaid (HUSKY) and have sliding scales for self-pay families. It is sometimes possible for a child with chronic stress symptoms to be misdiagnosed for a variety of disorders including: ADHD, major depression, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, specific phobias, and learning/academic difficulties. It is important to seek help from a qualified professional who has experience treating child traumatic stress problems.
A child’s primary care doctor can conduct a short trauma history for the child, or your child can be screened directly by a mental health specialist. Screenings are completed by the parent or caregiver for children ages 3-18. If your child is age 7 or older, they can complete an interview by themselves with a doctor or mental health clinician. Younger children may not be able to answer for themselves and you will have to provide the information for them. The trauma screening should take about 3-10 minutes, depending upon the number of traumas the child has experienced as well as the age of the child. A more thorough assessment may take longer, but can typically be completed in one visit. The screening tool asks questions like, “Has your child ever been in a bad accident, or know someone who has died” for example. If the doctor or mental health specialist feels there has been significant trauma exposure and some distress related to one or more traumas, the child should be referred for further evaluation. To find a list of providers in Connecticut that can conduct a thorough screening and assessment, please click here or call 211.
In some cases child traumatic stress symptoms may or may not meet the criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Children can show their PTSD symptoms differently than adults. These PTSD symptoms in children will vary by the child’s age and developmental level. Not all children who show signs of traumatic stress will be diagnosed with PTSD. However, as many as 20-25% who have been exposed to a traumatic event may develop symptoms that require evaluation and treatment.
If a child’s post-traumatic stress symptoms seem chronic and get worse over time, rather than better, you should get help. Untreated traumatic stress can affect the development of a child and his/her ability to function at home and at school. There are severe consequences to untreated traumatic stress in children including potential changes to biological, neurological and social development. Child traumatic stress can be associated with an increase in risky behaviors as the child gets older such as HIV high-risk behavior, promiscuity and drug and alcohol abuse. Recent studies have linked early experiences of trauma with greater prevalence of health problems in adulthood (i.e., heart disease, diabetes and cancer, stroke, suicide). It can be argued that traumatic stress is the single greatest preventable cause of mental illness.
The good news is that traumatic stress in children is treatable and there are highly effective treatments available to help children. In Connecticut and across the country there are a range of available best practices that have been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of traumatic stress and restore a child to health functioning. Please see the section on effective treatments by clicking here.
Treatments that research shows can reduce child traumatic stress are called “evidence-based treatments”. There are many evidence-based treatments available in many states through qualified mental health professionals and agencies. Please click here to read the section on www.kidsmentalhealthinfo.com for a brief summary and links to these effective treatments. You can also search for a provider trained in specific evidence based treatments by searching the Connecticut Evidence-Based Practice Directory.
There are many resources both nationally and locally (CT) to help parents and caregivers cope and find treatment for childhood traumatic stress. One great resource is called Get Help Now, sponsored by The National Child Stress Network. This website gives referrals to national organizations that can help a parent/caregiver find treatment and support for different types of child traumatic stress. Please also click here.
Local Resources:
To search for a provider in Connecticut, please click here.
The Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers
Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic Inc.
Child Development-Community Policing Program (CD-CP)
National Center for Children Exposed to Violence
National Resources:
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Trauma refers to an overwhelming, unanticipated danger or event that cannot be mediated or processed by the individual. Traumatic events are a direct threat to a person’s wellbeing. When confronted with trauma, a child may not have the ability to cope with the experience. While very young children may not remember specific events they do remember emotions, images and can be reminded of situations that cause them to be upset. Children often know when those they love are upset or worried and are not available to them. What they recognize is that mommy or daddy may not behave as they have before. They may hear more angry words or feel the absence of someone who loves them. They do not always understand what is happening but they do feel differences and sense changes. They are comforted and assured when they are told that mommy or daddy is sad, that mommy and daddy will always love them, that mommy or daddy can’t live here anymore, or that we have to move to another house. Parents and caregivers and other caring adults play a very important role in comforting and helping the child make sense of traumatic events.
Older children may ask questions and if they don’t, it is good to tell them what is happening in simple and reassuring words. Talking to children honestly but simply will help them to feel safe and secure. It is important not to give a child more information than they are asking for or that is developmentally appropriate. Children need their parents and caregivers to make sense of troubling thoughts and feelings.
Violence in the home can be very harmful to young children. Changes due to being homeless, parental drug or alcohol use or divorce can also be hard for young children. These changes are scary for children and alert them to be afraid and careful. Parents can get help from their doctors and from those who are experienced in working with mental health issues of young children and their families. Child Guidance Clinics, Mental Health Clinics are resources as are infant/toddler home visiting programs through Family Resource Centers or hospitals.
In Connecticut a program called Family Based Recovery is available through the Department of Children and Families to help mothers with infants and toddlers who experience traumatic events. There are also programs through the Yale Child study Center that you may qualify for if you live in the New Haven area. To find out more about these programs, Connecticut residents can call 2-1-1. For more information on the impact of trauma on children, please see the Trauma section of the www.kidsmentalhealthinfo.com website.