We offer mental health programs and services to children, families and communities, and we train SOS mothers and caregivers to provide critical help to children who may have been exposed to traumatic experiences. Our experts provide vital therapy to help children and families overcome severe trauma, relieve anxiety and rebuild their lives. YOU CAN HELP GUIDE YOUR CHILD’S RECOVERY WITH: Trauma therapy: Using art to help your child heal Play therapy: Helping babies, toddlers and young children heal from traumaĮvery day, SOS Children’s Villages helps children overcome the trauma they’ve experienced prior to being in our care, including the loss of their parents and families. And you’re here to help them cope, navigate the healing process and emerge happier and healthier on the other side. No matter what your child has been through, overcoming childhood trauma is possible they have the potential for growth, development, healing and extraordinary resilience. Your child’s behavioral changes may last for days, weeks, months or even years.Ĭhildhood trauma recovery: What’s important to remember is that these reactions are normal and expected after a child survives a traumatic experience. Or, symptoms may manifest when your child enters a close relationship with another person. Wondering how soon after a potentially traumatic experience your child would start to show these signs? Some children start exhibiting signs of traumatic stress immediately after the impactful event for others, the signs are noticeable weeks or even months later. Say they don’t have feelings about the traumatic experience Talk about the traumatic experience in detailįeel afraid that the traumatic experience will happen againįeel upset by minor injuries like bumps or bruises Repeatedly tell people about the traumatic experience Recreate the traumatic experience while playing Worry excessively about their own safety or the safety of othersĮngage in self-harming behaviors (ex: cutting, suicidal tendencies) YOU MAY NOTICE THESE COMMON SIGNS OF TRAUMATIC STRESS BASED ON YOUR CHILD’S AGE:Īdolescents (middle school & high school)Ĭry and/or scream more than typical for the childįeel alone, different from everyone else or like they’re “going crazy”ĭevelop new fears, including anxiety when separated from a parent or caregiverīecome clingy to adults they trust, like a parent or teacherĪvoid going to places that bring up memories of their traumaĭevelop poor eating habits, which can result in loss of weight Many of these reactions can apply to children of any age (for instance, regardless of developmental stage, a child can suffer from nightmares, feel fearful or exhibit changes in eating habits). Engaging in sexual activity/promiscuity.Incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control, including enuresis ).Regression or loss of skills the child had previously mastered.Difficulty concentrating or paying attention.Trouble forming attachments or relationships.Changes in eating habits or loss of appetite.Anxiety or being in a state of constant alert.Intense and ongoing emotional upset, including feelings of fear, terror or under pressure.TRAUMA CAN INCLUDE A VARIETY OF RESPONSES AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES, SUCH AS: Major life changes (ex: moving or starting at a new school).Military-related incidents or stress (ex: deployment of a parent).War, terrorism and refugee experiences (including torture).Exposure to substance abuse (self or other).Natural disasters (ex: hurricanes, earthquakes or tsunamis).Medical diagnoses, events and life-threatening illnesses.Loss of a loved one ( Learn more about how to help your child heal after loss).Violence in the child’s community (ex: school shootings or even mass casualty events in the news).Abandonment, neglect or disorganized attachment.Physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse (including human trafficking).You are the best judge to determine if something feels ‘off.’ If you sense that your child is not acting in a manner that’s typical for them, trust your intuition.ĬHILDREN MAY EXHIBIT SIGNS OF TRAUMATIC STRESS IF THEY ENDURE EXPERIENCES LIKE: You know your child better than anyone else does. As a parent, you may not be aware of how serious the reasons are behind your child’s reaction. Sometimes, signs may not manifest at all, or they may develop very gradually. However, a general sign that your child is suffering from traumatic stress is that they may act in a way that is uncharacteristic for them. The effects of trauma manifest differently from child to child, and they vary based on age and developmental level. You can help a child recover from trauma in the care of SOS Children’s Villages.
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