Understanding Childhood Trauma

Credit hours:

2.50

Course Summary

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. These experiences range from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse to parental divorce or the incarceration of a parent or guardian. Many foster children have experienced multiple traumatic events in their childhood. It’s imperative that foster parents and other child welfare stakeholders be informed about how trauma impacts the children and youth they care for.

In this course, you can expect to learn:

The connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and health outcomes
How responses to stress can impact child and adolescent development
Considerations for facilitating trauma-informed services
Perspectives from young people who have experienced trauma
How foster parents can provide trauma-informed support to children and youth

Step 1

Learn how childhood trauma unfolds across a lifetime from Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris in the video "How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across A Lifetime."

Step 2

Learn what trauma is, how young people respond to trauma, and how trauma-informed services benefit children and youth in foster care by reading the article "Trauma-Informed Practice with Young People in Foster Care."

Step 3

Review the JBS International article "Youth and Family Perspectives on Trauma-Informed Care" and learn how identifying trauma may help to overcome it.

Step 4

Review the Fostering Perspectives article "Trauma-Informed Parenting: What You Should Know" to learn valuable trauma informed parenting information.

Step 5

Learn the impact of untreated trauma on children and young people, understand some of the behaviors exhibited in reaction to trauma, and explore practical tips to help children and youth overcome trauma in the article "Parenting a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma."

Step 6

Join the discussion in the comments below to answer the following question:

How might a parent manage discipline differently for a child who has experienced trauma? You are encouraged to share real-life examples, but please don't use any names in your story.

Step 7

Finished the module? If you are logged in as a subscribed user, take the quiz to earn your Continuing Education Credit hours and certificate!

Course Discussion

2 years 4 weeks ago

DHedge said:

Reinforcement of good behavior

kathy butcher said:

avoid any triggers that could take the child back to their trauma .

2 years 2 months ago

oaktomas said:

It is important to avoid or minimize any triggers that could bring the child back into their trauma instead of bringing them into a place to talk about other ways to behave. Example: Time outs can feel like neglect to a child.

Capt Vegetable said:

The adult can use the knowledge of the reason(s) behind the maladaptive behavior to respond and not react - creating an opportunity for growth and restorative justice. Teaching a child how to reflect on their choices, feelings, reactions, triggers and behaviors and how they can recognize them is valuable for all children, especially those who have experienced trauma.

Ryguythesciguy said:

Trauma is real and happens. Our awareness and training in it will help us be better parents to the kids in our care.

KimmersA8 said:

Being aware of the trauma and responding appropriately is hugely important. Get to know your kids and what are triggers for them so you can help them grow and heal.

apriljackson11 said:

I no how to take care and child with trauma all I have to do is give the child tender and care because I have and hold lot of patience for that kind of child and the child needs is and hold lot of patience and care

2 years 3 months ago

MrRp said:

We currently have a young child who is just learning how to speak, so communication is still difficult. The key is patience, creating good routines, laying out easily understood rules that can be followed, and recognizing good behaviors.

2 years 4 months ago

beanhead41 said:

A big key is patience and predictability with rules/boundaries!

DValois said:

We had a foster child who was a failure to thrive case. It became immediate to us that the child withholding food from the child was one of the inappropriate disciple procedures (and traumas) the child experienced. In the beginning, it was heartbreaking to watch the child guard the plate with his body and even put some of the food from the plate into his pocket (for later). Knowing what had happened to the child helped us to understand how to help him.

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