Trauma has a significant impact on children, not only mentally, emotionally and behaviorally, but also on the architecture of the brain.  The young brain is growing more than at any other time in life, and so trauma and toxic stress affect the brain's "wiring."

When a child is exposed to trauma the stress response is activated - fight, flight, freeze. Without caring adults to help, children remain fearful and overwhelmed. Many develop PTSD symptoms: reliving the trauma, hyperarousal, avoidance and numbing. Safe, dependable and nurturing relationships with caregivers can heal trauma. The following are helpful tips for parents and professionals:

• Talk: communication builds trust and relieves pain.
• Listen: to thoughts, feelings and trauma stories with empathy.
• Accept: anger, anxiety and depression as normal reactions.
• Support: give comfort and reassurance.
• Consistency: structure enhances security.
• Safety: provide stability and protection.
• Calm: reduces biochemistry of fear and stress.
• Control: reduce feelings of helplessness via achievements.
• Opportunity mindset: "I can turn tragedy into triumph."
• Express: encourage healthy pursuits (art, music, sports).
• Stories: help them make sense of distressing experiences; mitigate self-blame.
• Positive: praise good behavior; laughter and play are great ways to connect.
• Views: foster healthy beliefs: "I can trust and feel."
• Belonging: a part of family, community, culture.
• Volunteer: helping others turns pain into hope.
• Mentor: be a role model of self-care and optimism; respond therapeutically - don't let them "push your buttons."