Trauma & Child Development

Mary E. Anderson, MA LMFTSteppingStone Therapeutic

Hutchinson, MN

Early Experiences… no big deal?

‘Early experiences have a decisive impact on the architecture of the brain, and on the nature and extent of adult capabilities.’

Shore R (1997) Rethinking the Brain. Family and Work Institute: New York. p18

Understanding How Stress & Trauma

Affect Child Development

Stress

Trauma: Any Stressful Event which is…

Prolonged Overwhelming UnpredictableSuch Events Continue on when they

are……… Unexpressed Unprocessed Misunderstood

Traumatic Events Include:

Extraordinary: War Homicides Assaults Natural Disasters major storms Acts of Terrorism

Ordinary: Car Crashes Work/ Leisure Accidents Medical Procedures Life Threatening Illness High Fevers Bullying Adoption Foster care Suffocation Frequent Moves/loss of

housing Loss of close person, grandma Transitions –

grades.classroom Early childhood transitions

Other Traumatic Events

Abuse Neglect Divorce Chronic Pain Emotional Absence Parental

Depression/Anxiety Parental Drug Use Needs Left Unmet

What Causes stress to become toxic

What happens to a young child who has experienced this type of Trauma?

Affects of Trauma

Children’s traumatizing experiences, particularly when chronic, can compromise all areas of childhood development.

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How does a child adapt?

Children adapt by engaging in protective practices

Blaming themselves for the abuse..

Trauma and Attachment

The child abused by a primary attachment figure suffers in multiple and complex ways.

There is pain, confusion!!! Fear of the abuse itself! Confusion because the source of danger and the source of protection resides in one person!

Attachment Disruption:

Loss of the primary attachment figure . Researchers believe that the most important factor in

creating attachment is positive physical contact. The work of Dr Perry and colleagues at the Child Trauma Academy, Baylor Medical Institute, has been very

influential

Brain Functions

NeoCortex/Left BrainUnderstanding, thinking, language, problem solving (Speaks with Words)

Midbrain, Limbic/Right BrainFeelings, love, fear (Speaks with Emotional Feelings)

Brain Stem & Lower MidbrainInvoluntary motor part of the brain, instincts for survival; fight, flight, freeze (body based therapies) Food, safety, sex. (Speaks with Sensations)

Brain and Brain research…

Critical elements of bodymind development not fully recognized until the last 15 years.

Perry identified two states of stress response hypo-arousal and hyper-arousal; intimately correlated to Fight, Flight, or Freeze.

The amygdale is the origin of our most primitive reactive patterns. Center for stress origination Sends messages directly to the hypothalamus and

on to the the pituitary glands, also triggering the adrenal glands

Developed at birth

Trauma Memory

Is located in the right brain near the brainstem in the lower limbic system.

Social Skills

Emotion Regulation

Attachment & Bonding

Attachment: The First Building Block

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Barriers to AttachmentThe following barriers to attachment A child living apart from a birth parent may resist

forming a new attachment because she/he believes that any positive relationship with another adult will ensure the estranged parent will not return.

Inability of child to trust adults. The experience of intimacy leads to feelings of

vulnerability and danger.

Attachment Emotion Regulation

If a child does not attach to a primary caregiver they cannot regulate their emotions or develop social relationships.

The Regulatory System

Emotional and behavioral control

Emotional States. Dysregulation Homeostasis Attunement Self Regulation

Social Skills

•Social Skills can only be built upon a foundation of attachment and regulation.

TEMPER TANTRUM OR ….

What do you think… If this child having a trantrum or does this child and parent lack the attunement necessary for secure attachment. Things to look for •….Does the child reach out to the parent. •Does the child move toward the parent. •Does the child fall because of relief that at least the parent is still present? • What do you think of the dogs reaction? Is that how your pet reacts when you are distressed? •Is this a one time incident? •Is this what early childhood mental health issues look like?

Brain Trauma Toxicity…

Time for Questions….

Thank you for the work you do for Children…

Articles to read

THE EFFECTS OF EARLY RELATIONAL TRAUMA ON RIGHT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT, AFFECT REGULATION, AND INFANT MENTAL HEALTH ALLAN N. SCHORE Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine