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Types of Traumatic Stress in Children - Coggle Diagram
Types of Traumatic Stress in Children
Physical, Emotional or Sexual Abuse
Symptoms include:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Feel fearful
Feel shame
Become involved in risky sexual behavior
Response Strategies:
Give students a flexible seating plan.
Assure the child that he or she is safe and loved.
Be patient and give them more time and care.
Seek the help of a trained professional.
Practice relaxation techniques.
Pursue outdoor activities.
Enjoy the peace of nature.
Spend time with positive people.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Learn about trauma and PTSD.
And join a PTSD support group.
Racism or Discrimination in Society
Symptoms Include:
Feel shame
Feel upset
Stress can elevate blood pressure and weaken the immune system.
Suicidal thoughts.
Depression.
Response Strategies:
Learn about the impacts of history and systemic racism. In order to constructively engage with students, the teacher must commit to the foundation to meet students’ needs for fair discussion.
Create and support a safe and brave classroom climate. In a safe climate students will feel safe both within themselves and from the risk of physical or psychological harm from others.
Honor the impacts of history and systemic racism. The teacher should recognize that some students may be triggered when learning about or studying historical events related to racism. The teacher should honor their emotional responses and permit them to connect with support when needed. If discussing their perspectives will promote greater classroom psychological safety, leave time for discussion.
Talk about racist experiences with others, like a support group.
Foster a strong sense of racial identity. Having a well-developed sense of ethnic or racial identity may help blunt or buffer the effects of racism.
Loss of Family Members/Death
Symptoms include:
Feel anxious/ upset
Cry
Nightmare/Have difficulties sleeping
Response Strategies:
Assure the child that he or she is safe and loved.
Explain that he or she is not responsible.
Reassure them that they do not need to feel guilty or bad about any feelings or thoughts.
Seek the help of a trained professional.
Let the student know you've heard about the loss and are available to listen and offer support.
Use simple, direct, and open-ended questions such as, "How are you and your family doing?"
The student may not immediately accept an invitation to talk, or he may have questions that evolve over time, so remain accessible, concerned, and connected.
School Violence
Domestic Violence
Symptoms include:
Nightmare
Become anxious or fearful
Have a hard time concentrating
Eating and sleeping disturbances.
Being aggressive towards friends and schoolmates.
Low self-esteem.
Have less empathy and caring for others.
Response Strategies:
Assure the child that he or she is safe and loved.
Be patient.
Reassure them that they do not need to feel guilty or bad about any feelings or thoughts.
Explain that he or she is not responsible.
Seek the help of a trained professional.
Prepare for difficulties, for example if a child does not like to be alone, provide a buddy to go with them to the washroom
Physical or Emotional Negligence
Symptoms include:
Increased somatic complaint
Withdrawal from other people and activities
Aggression.
Developmental delays.
Low self-esteem.
Failure to thrive.
Hyperactivity.
Response Strategies:
The “2x10 Strategy” developed by psychologist Raymond Wlodkowski is a strategy to implement with the most challenging students. For two minutes each day, 10 days in a row, teachers can have a personal conversation, either written or in person with a student about anything the student is interested in.
Be aware of personal space and provide appropriate physical touch when a child seeks it.
Physical comfort can help calm children and also help them learn to regulate their emotions.
A psychologist or therapist can help a child learn to cope with their emotions in a healthy way.
Early intervention may be able to both modify and correct the behaviors that lead to neglect and the consequences that can arise.
Family therapy can help both the parents and the child. A therapist can help parents understand the impact they’re having.
Parenting classes. These courses help parents and caregivers learn the skills necessary to recognize, listen to, and respond to a child’s emotions.
Witness an Accident
Symptoms include:
Feel guilty.
Nightmares.
Response strategies:
Assure the child that he or she is safe.
Explain that he or she is not responsible.
Reassure them that they do not need to feel guilty or bad about any feelings or thoughts.
Seek the help of a trained professional.
Accident/or Injury
Symptoms include:
Avoiding reminders of the incident
Increased general anxiety
Jumpiness
Response strategies:
Make your child feel safe.
Watch what you say.
Maintain routines as much as possible.
Give extra support at bedtime.
Do not expose kids to the news.
Encourage children to share feelings.
Enable the child to tell the story of what happened.
Draw pictures.
Witness a War or a Serious Crime/National Disasters or Terrorism
Symptoms include:
Nightmare
Cry or scream a lot
Have difficulties sleeping and/or eating
Response strategies:
Assure the child that he or she is safe.
Be patient and give them time.
Talk to a trained professional.
Divorce
Symptoms include:
Feel guilty.
Feel depressed and alone.
Response strategies:
Assure the child that he or she is loved. She or he is not abandoned.
Explain that he or she is not responsible.
Be patient and give them more care and time.
Reassure them that they do not need to feel guilty.
Seek the help of a trained professional.