Trauma In Children And Taking The Superhero Approach To Help Amanda Birescik, MFT Intern Neckole Paschal, Family Support Counselor Victor Community Support Services

AGENDA • • • •

Review the definition of childhood trauma How trauma affects the Childs brain Children's behavioral response to fear How can mental health professionals and teachers help children with trauma • Superheroes that have had traumatic past • Using Superhero Interventions in treating children

Every Superhero Has a Story

Definition Of Trauma Trauma is a result of an extraordinary stressful event that shatters your sense of security , making you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous world. The traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety. It’s not the objective facts that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more Fear/hyper arousal or helpless you feel the more likely you are to be traumatized.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

DSM 5 Definition Of Trauma • Re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitions and mood, and arousal. • recurrent dreams related to it, flashbacks or other intense or prolonged psychological distress. Avoidance refers to distressing memories, thoughts, feelings or external reminders of the event. • Negative cognitions and mood represents myriad feelings, from a persistent and distorted sense of blame of self or others, to estrangement from others or markedly diminished interest in activities, to an inability to remember key aspects of the event. • Finally, arousal is marked by aggressive, reckless or self-destructive behavior, sleep disturbances, hyper-vigilance or related problems. The current manual emphasizes the “flight” aspect associated with PTSD; the criteria of DSM-5 also account for the “fight” reaction often seen.

APA.org (2013)

WHO IS Bruce Banner (Hulk) • Son of an abusive and alcoholic father • Father was jealous of mothers affection toward Bruce • During an altercation between Bruce and father mother intervened and father murdered her.

• As a child Bruce was withdrawn, possibly developing a split personality to help deal with his pain and rage. • He found it hard to develop friendships and was often physically abused by school bullies.

Childhood Trauma • Traumatic experiences in childhood can have severe long lasting effects. Children who have been traumatized see the world as a frightening and dangerous place. When childhood trauma is not resolved this fundamental sense of fear and helplessness carries over into adulthood, setting the stage for further trauma.

Perry, 2004

Things That Disrupt a Childs Sense Of Safety • • • • • • •

Unstable or unsafe environment Separation from parent Serious illness Intrusive Medical Procedures Sexual, Physical, Verbal Abuse Neglect Bullying Harvard University Center on the Developing Child

Catwomen AKA Selina Kyle • Mother Committed Suicide • Father was an alcoholic and “drank himself to death soon after her mother’s suicide.” • Selina was separated from her younger sister Maggie and placed in a abusive Delinquent Detention Center. • Selina begins pick pocketing and prostituting.

• She is resilient and learned how to survive through her street credibility.

Fear Changes The Way Children Think • In a state of calm we use the higher more complex parts of the brain. • In a state of fear we use the lower more primitive parts of the brain. • Traumatized children live in an aroused state, Ill prepared to learn from social, emotional, and other life experiences. They live in the minute not the future.

Perry, 2003

Threat and Response • Human Adaptive Response To an Event • Sleep • Startled Response • Freeze • Flight • Fight

National Scientific Council on The Developing Child, 2010

Meet Peter Parker AKA Spiderman • Peter Parker was orphaned at the age of 6 when his parents were killed in an airplane crash overseas. • He was raised by his aunt and uncle. • Parker was extremely bright and became a high honors student. • Peters shyness and scholastic interest often made him a social outcast.

Common Behaviors of Children That Have Experienced Trauma • • • • • • • • •

Display excessive temper Demand Negative & Positive Attention Regressive Behaviors Aggressive Behaviors Imitate the Traumatic Event Verbally Aggressive Startle Easily Unable to Trust Others & Make “Friends” Anxious, Fearful, and Avoidant Bucciarelli, A. & Vlahov, D. (2007)

Wonder women • Wonder women was created around World War II to encourage women to help with the war. • Some of Wonder Women's super powers are to encourage others to tell the truth, she can deflect bullets, fly at high speeds, resistant to blunt force, fire, and magic. She can communicate with animals.

Ways To Help Children With Trauma • Predictability in their environment • Consistency with the environment • Increase healthy interactions with good role models. (Have family meals together, play games together, build relationships). • Enrichment activities (activities where child problem solves) • Physical Activities • Learning effective ways to communicate frustration • Developing replacement behaviors such as journaling and hands on activities. • Increase experiences of positive regard (praise, and empathy). National Scientific Council on The Developing Child, 2010

Resources • American Psychiatric Publishing. (2013). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. http://www.dsm5.org/. • Bucciarelli, A & Vlahov, D. (2007). American Psychological Association. www.apa.org • Center For Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. (2010). National Scientific Counsel on the Developing Child, http://ecmhc • Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2001). Understanding the Effects of Maltreatment on Early Brain Development. Washington DC. Children Bureau/ACYF

Resources Continued • Lepore, J. (2014). The Surprising Origin Story Of Wonder Woman. www.smithsoniamag.com • Merrel, S. (2013). Superhero Anger Management 6 week Group Curriculum • Perry, B. (2004). Maltreatment and the Developing Child; How Early Childhood Experiences Shapes Child and Cultures. The Centre for Children and Families in the Justice System 200-254. • Perry, B. (2003). Effects of Traumatic Events On Children. The Child Trauma Academy. www.ChildTrauma.org