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Introduction to Childhood Introduction to Childhood Trauma – Part 2Trauma – Part 2

Brian Lowery MPA, LSWBrian Lowery MPA, LSWLowery Training AssociatesLowery Training Associates

Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio

E-mail: Brian@LoweryAndAssociates.comE-mail: Brian@LoweryAndAssociates.comWeb: www.LoweryAndAssociates.comWeb: www.LoweryAndAssociates.com

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What You Might See: Reaction to What You Might See: Reaction to Trauma RemindersTrauma Reminders

Trauma Reminders:Trauma Reminders: Things, events, situations, places, Things, events, situations, places,

sensations and even people that a sensations and even people that a child connects with a traumatic child connects with a traumatic eventevent

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Reactions to Trauma Reminders Reactions to Trauma Reminders (continued)(continued)

Re-experiencingRe-experiencing

WithdrawalWithdrawal

DisassociationDisassociation

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Second BestSecond Best

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Look for the Trauma Reminders

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What about Posttraumatic Stress What about Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?Disorder?

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed when: is diagnosed when:

A person displays severe traumatic stress A person displays severe traumatic stress reaction;reaction;

The reactions persist for a long period of The reactions persist for a long period of time; and,time; and,

The reactions get in the way of living a The reactions get in the way of living a normal life.normal life.

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What you Might See: Traumatic What you Might See: Traumatic Stress ReactionStress Reaction

Problems concentrating, learning or taking Problems concentrating, learning or taking in new information;in new information;

Difficulty going to sleep, staying asleep, Difficulty going to sleep, staying asleep, nightmares;nightmares;

Emotional instability; moody, sad, or angry Emotional instability; moody, sad, or angry and aggressive;and aggressive;

Age inappropriate behaviors; acting like a Age inappropriate behaviors; acting like a much younger childmuch younger child

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What You Might See: Traumatic What You Might See: Traumatic PlayPlay

When playing, young children who have When playing, young children who have been through traumatic events may:been through traumatic events may:

Repeat all of some of the traumatic eventRepeat all of some of the traumatic event Take on the role of the abuserTake on the role of the abuser Try out different outcomesTry out different outcomes Get “stuck” on a particular moment or eventGet “stuck” on a particular moment or event18

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Traumatic Play Traumatic Play (continued)(continued)

Seek professional help if your child:Seek professional help if your child: Centers most play activities around Centers most play activities around

traumatic eventtraumatic event Becomes very upset during traumatic playBecomes very upset during traumatic play Repeatedly plays the role of abuser with Repeatedly plays the role of abuser with

dolls or stuffed animals or acts out abuse dolls or stuffed animals or acts out abuse with other childrenwith other children

Plays in a way that interferes with Plays in a way that interferes with relationships with other childrenrelationships with other children

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What You Might See: Talking About What You Might See: Talking About TraumaTrauma

Talking about certain events all the timeTalking about certain events all the time Bringing up the topic, seemingly Bringing up the topic, seemingly out of the out of the

blueblue Being confused or mistaken about detailsBeing confused or mistaken about details Remembering only fragments of what Remembering only fragments of what

happenedhappened Avoiding talking about anything remotely Avoiding talking about anything remotely

related to the traumatic eventsrelated to the traumatic events

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Recovering From Trauma: The Recovering From Trauma: The Role of ResilienceRole of Resilience

Resilience Resilience is the ability to recover is the ability to recover from traumatic eventsfrom traumatic events

Children who are resilient see Children who are resilient see themselves as:themselves as:

SafeSafe CapableCapable LoveableLoveable26

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Growing ResilienceGrowing Resilience Factors that can increase resilience Factors that can increase resilience

include:include: Strong relationship with at least one Strong relationship with at least one

competent caring adultcompetent caring adult Feeling connected to a positive role Feeling connected to a positive role

model/mentormodel/mentor Having talents/abilities nurtured & Having talents/abilities nurtured &

appreciatedappreciated Feeling control over ones own lifeFeeling control over ones own life Having a feeling of belonging to a community Having a feeling of belonging to a community

or group or cause larger than oneselfor group or cause larger than oneself29

Lets take a Break!Lets take a Break!Thanks for all your hard work, so far!Thanks for all your hard work, so far!

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Wrap-UpWrap-Up

Great job….everybody!!!Great job….everybody!!!

Thanks for all of your hard work!Thanks for all of your hard work!

BrianBrian