Working with Kids? How to Recognize Signs of Trauma and How You Can Help

What does "childhood trauma" mean?

The term childhood trauma describes an undesirable experience or any conduct that affects the well-being or morals of a child or teenager. This can be caused by experiencing it first-hand or hearing about someone else's experiences. Some examples of trauma include major illness, poverty, domestic violence, parental divorce, bullying, as well as neglect or abuse of any kind.

Children don't 'get over' trauma; it continues to affect their development.

Exposure to trauma can lead to issues in the development of our behavioural, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas. It can affect our immune systems, hormonal systems, brain development, and even our genes. Studies show that childhood trauma causes mental and physical health disorders well into adulthood and is attributed to seven out of the ten leading causes of death in the US.

What happens in the body when we experience childhood trauma?

Our bodies' stress-response system is important for survival. Typically, when we experience a stressful event, a chemical called cortisol is released. Cortisol activates the part of our brain (the amygdala) that puts us into the "fight, flight, or freeze" mode, which helps us avoid danger. When the threat is removed, our bodies return to their normal state.

But, after children experience a trauma when they're still developing, their cortisol levels may be constantly raised, and they can stay in a constant "fight, flight, or freeze" mode, making their growing brains and bodies develop maladaptively. 

For example:

• There can be problems in the brain's memory region (the hippocampus) that can affect how we store and retrieve information, significantly affecting our learning.
• It may cause issues with the development of an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, affecting impulse control, executive functioning, and mood regulation.
• Our bodies can become exhausted when stress hormones are constantly raised. This can lead to fatigue and other dangerous conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

Red flags or indicators of trauma:

The trouble is, we may not know that a child has been exposed to a trauma unless we see it or if kids tell us. And, what's worse, is that any red flags that may suggest that a child has been exposed are often thought of as 'bad' behaviours in our society. The following is a list of behaviours that typically result from trauma (these behaviours may vary by age and developmental stage of the child.)

• Defiance, acting out, hyperactivity
• Disinterest, lack of focus, withdrawal
• Incomplete assignments, skipping class
• Poor social skills
• Frequent illness
• Drug use
• Physical aggression
• Poor literacy skills and difficulty with memory tasks

When these behaviours are misinterpreted as 'bad' behaviour, it often leads to frustration with the child and punishment. A traumatized child often lacks the ability to form social bonds, control their emotions, and think positively about themselves. Therefore, we often do more harm than good when we become frustrated with or punish them.

How you can help:

• Children who experience trauma often have difficulty trusting others. This is why it's essential for those who work with kids to create an environment where they feel safe so that trust can be established. Building trust isn't easy, but you can start by showing kindness, fairness, competence, and predictability.
• Help kids to name their emotions so that they can work through and understand their
  feelings. Even younger children, with time, will be able to understand and use advanced "feeling" words. 
• We should validate a child's feelings so they know there's no shame in feeling what they're feeling. You can say something like: "It makes sense that you feel that way." Doing this will let them know they're important to you and deserve your understanding.
• Understand that there's a purpose to a child's behaviour. They are communicating with
  you—and it's your job to work out what they are trying to tell you. Consider what the
  child may get when they display this negative behaviour, why they may be doing it, and
  what skills they may need support with to react more healthily. 
• Do your best to avoid punishing kids who've experienced trauma for their 'inappropriate' behaviours. Punishment can often increase their stress levels and worsen the problem.
• Never assume a child doesn't want to learn because of how they may be acting. Be sure to offer ongoing, positive encouragement to all kids whenever possible.
• Advocate for trauma awareness in the workplace. When more adults know about
  childhood trauma and its negative impacts, more people will be able to respond to
  children in supportive ways and not risk doing further damage. With any luck, as more
  people become trauma-aware, it will ripple into more organizations and more and more children will be supported.
• Refer children and their families to mental health professionals. Research agencies in
  your area and form working relationships with these professionals to make referrals
  quick and easy. If you are an educator, you can speak with school counsellors or psychiatrists about your concerns. And be sure to report abuse when necessary.

In summary

Those who work with children have a responsibility to these kids to learn about what their behaviours mean. Studies show that misbehaviours can be symptoms of trauma. It's time that we stop misinterpreting what kids are telling us, and instead, we must learn how to use these clues to respond appropriately and supportively to reduce the negative effects of trauma and help them access the care they need.