Think the only children with trauma are those who have been abused or neglected? Think again! The body experiences chronic stress as a trauma. So children who experience prolonged periods of illness, isolation, and bullying, or events like natural disasters, death, and other “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs) may show signs of trauma.
Chronic stress and trauma can cause developmental delays and behavior that is often misinterpreted as bad, uncontrollable, unusual, or “off the chart.” The typical “old school” way of correcting such behavior usually won't work. Even if it does, it increases the child's stress level, which deepens the trauma! So, it is imperative that all parents become trauma-informed, to recognize the signs, prevent trauma, and know about simple at-home treatments the entire family can use!
