• Trauma is an emotional response to an event that threatens or causes harm.
• The harm can be physical or emotional, real or perceived, and can threaten the child or someone they love.

The effects of trauma can include one or more of the following:

Physical

• Inability to control physical responses to stress
• Chronic illness (example: heart disease, obesity)

Mental

• Difficulty thinking, learning and concentrating
• Difficulty switching from one task, thought or activity to another

Emotional

• Low self-esteem
• Inability to regulate emotions
• Trust issues
• Difficulty forming attachments

Behavioural

• Lack of impulse control
• Substance abuse
• Risky behaviour
• Increased aggression

Young Children (Ages 0-5)

• Irritability or fussiness
• Frequent tantrums
• Clinginess
• Developmental delays

School-Age Children (Ages 6-12)

• Difficulty paying attention
• Being quiet or withdrawn
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches with no apparent cause
• Reverting to younger behaviour (example: thumb sucking, bed wetting)

Teens (Ages 13-18)

• Refusal to follow rules
• Being tired all the time
• Risky behaviours
• Not wanting to spend time with friends
• Using drugs or alcohol

• Identify trauma triggers. Something you are doing or saying, or something harmless in your home, may be triggering your child without either of you realizing it. It is important to watch for patterns of behaviour and reactions that do not seem to “fit” the situation. What distracts your child, makes them anxious, or results in an emotional outburst? Help your child avoid situations that trigger traumatic memories, at least until more healing has occurred. 

• Be emotionally and physically available. Some traumatized children act in ways that keep adults at a distance (whether they mean to or not). Provide attention, comfort, and encouragement in ways your child will accept. Younger children may want extra hugs or cuddling; for older youth, this might just mean spending time together as a family. Follow their lead and be patient if children seem needy. 

• Respond, don’t react. Your reactions may trigger a child or youth who is already feeling overwhelmed; some children are even uncomfortable being looked at directly for too long. When your child is upset, do what you can to keep calm: lower your voice, acknowledge your child’s feelings, and be reassuring and honest. 

• Listen. Don’t avoid difficult topics or uncomfortable conversations, but don’t force children to talk before they are ready. Let children know that it’s normal to have many feelings after a traumatic experience. Take their reactions seriously and reassure them that what happened was not their fault. 

• Be consistent and predictable. Develop a regular routine for meals, play time, and bedtime. Prepare your child in advance for changes or new experiences. 

• Be patient. Everyone heals differently from trauma, and trust does not develop overnight. Respecting each child’s own course of recovery is important. 

The causes and symptoms of childhood trauma differ from those of adults because children are upset or frightened by different things and lack the ability to respond to these intense emotions independently.

The effects of trauma can include one or more of the following:

Physical 

• Eating and sleep disturbances
• Pain
• Low energy
• Headaches
• Panic
• Anxiety

Cognitive

• Memory lapses
• Loss of time
• Difficulty making decisions
• Decreased ability to concentrate
• Thoughts of suicide

Spiritual

• Guilt
• Shame
• Self-blame
• Self-hatred
• Questioning one’s own purpose

Behavioural

• Self-harm
• Substance misuse
• Self-destructive behaviours
• Isolation
• Suicide attempts
• Hyper vigilance

Emotional 

• Depression
• Crying
• Anxiety
• Extreme vulnerability
• Panic attacks
• Anger
• Fearfulness
• Emotional numbness