With recent news of terrorism around the world, including most recently in Paris, Israel, San Bernardino, and Mali, our children and family members, including those with disabilities, may experience distress and concern for their own safety. Here are some suggestions that might help:

First, it is important to understand your own emotional response to these acts of violence. Checking in with oneself is useful, to ensure that you are not activated to the point of trauma. In order to best help others, our own needs must be addressed first. 

Allow your child or family member to ask questions. Oftentimes they have a general idea that something bad has happened, but may not know the particulars. If they raise the issue, ask first what they've already heard about it. They may not have much to say other than they heard someone talking about it, or saw the headlines, etc. Without going into great detail, it is a good idea to simply state the basic facts: some extremists in (Paris, Israel, San Bernardino, Mali) became angry and attacked people.

Provide reassurance. We are okay.We have well-trained emergency services, including police, fire department, and military.We try to treat everyone fairly, without concern for what religion, hair style, color of skin, level of education, etc. others have. We do make mistakes sometimes, but we are free to talk about it in our country, which isn't always the case in some other countries. It is okay to acknowledge uncertainty, but highlight safety and preparedness and the ability to continue on with our own lives. We do live in a safe and humane country, for which we should be grateful.

Ask for their ideas. Are there ways we might help? Maybe volunteering in the community, saving a little money to give to a favorite charity, donating food to local food drives? This allows us to take action and process events, without forcing children or other family members to ruminate about what has happened.

Share how you are prepared. We save money so that we're never without resources in an emergency; we stay in touch (by phone, cell phone, computer, friends, family, neighbors) so if there ever is a concern, someone else will help us if needed. We talk openly with family and friends about things that are on our minds, so that if they have questions in the future about anything, they know the channels of communication are always open.