Trauma is a hidden force that often shapes the lives of many children, yet its effects can be profound and long-lasting. For children who have experienced trauma, understanding their emotional, behavioural, and physical changes is essential to providing the right support.
Serena Bua, a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience working with children and adults with complex needs, offers invaluable insights into trauma and its impact on young minds. Currently working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and as a Clinical Psychologist at CAYP, her person-centred approach blends psychological theories and therapeutic techniques to help children navigate the challenges they face. In this interview, Serena shared her expertise on how trauma manifests in children, its effects, and crucial strategies for support.
What is Trauma?
Trauma refers to a response to distressing events or experiences that overwhelm a child’s ability to cope, such as abuse, neglect, accidents, or significant life challenges. For children, trauma can disrupt their emotional regulation, behaviour, and physical health, often leading to difficulties in forming relationships, managing emotions, or coping with everyday stress. The effects of trauma can vary widely depending on the child’s personal history, temperament, and environment. Understanding trauma in children is crucial to recognising its signs and offering the right support to help them heal.
How Trauma Manifests in Children
Trauma can affect children in various ways, and the signs of trauma can differ depending on whether the child is neurotypical or neurodiverse. Serena discussed how trauma manifests in both neurotypical and neurodiverse children, highlighting some key differences.
Neurotypical Children
Emotional Manifestations:
For neurotypical children, trauma often leads to heightened emotional sensitivity. Serena explained that these children may struggle with emotional regulation, resulting in increased anxiety, mood swings, or irritability. “Children who experience trauma can become more anxious or have emotional outbursts,” she said. This emotional turmoil can affect a child’s ability to cope with everyday stressors and challenges.
Behavioural Manifestations:
Trauma also often causes behavioural changes. Serena noted that children may regress to earlier developmental stages, such as bed-wetting or becoming clingier. “Trauma can cause regression in behaviours that were once outgrown,” she explained. “Aggression or withdrawal are also common responses, as trauma can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope with stress.” This regression can be distressing for both the child and their caregivers, as behaviours that had previously been resolved can re-emerge during stressful times.
Physical Manifestations:
Children who have experienced trauma may also show physical symptoms. “Physical signs such as headaches, stomach aches, and trouble sleeping are often overlooked but can be directly related to the emotional distress caused by trauma,” Serena said. These signs, while commonly dismissed as unrelated to trauma, can be critical clues in understanding a child’s emotional state and the toll that trauma has taken on them.
Neurodiverse Children
For neurodiverse children, those with conditions such as autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental differences, trauma can manifest in unique and complex ways. Children with neurodiversity may already face sensory sensitivities and communication challenges, which can be heightened or exacerbated by traumatic experiences.
Emotional Manifestations:
Serena highlighted that trauma may affect emotional regulation in more pronounced ways for neurodiverse children. “Neurodiverse children often have heightened or reduced sensitivities to sensory input, which means that trauma can make them more reactive to things like noise or touch,” she explained. “This can lead to emotional overload or withdrawal in response to sensory triggers.” The heightened sensitivity means that even seemingly small events or changes in their environment can trigger overwhelming feelings, causing emotional reactions that may be misunderstood by others.
Behavioural Manifestations:
Neurodiverse children may also exhibit behaviours that are misinterpreted. “Many neurodiverse children struggle with communicating their feelings,” Serena said. “This can cause frustration and lead to withdrawal, or the child might act out in ways that seem oppositional.” Trauma often triggers these behaviours, which are typically a sign of emotional distress, rather than defiance. Serena stressed the importance of recognising the difference between typical challenging behaviours and those that arise from trauma, which can often look similar but stem from very different underlying causes.
Physical Manifestations:
As with neurotypical children, neurodiverse children can also show physical symptoms such as disrupted sleep, stomach aches, or headaches. However, for neurodiverse children, these physical symptoms can be more pronounced due to their heightened sensitivities. “Trauma can make it even more difficult for neurodiverse children to self-regulate, which can manifest in an increased need for structure or specific coping mechanisms,” Serena explained. Without the right support and understanding, children may struggle to cope with the emotional and physical impact of trauma, which can further disrupt their development and well-being.
Trauma Signs You Should Know
While trauma can present in various ways, there are specific signs that parents and caregivers should be aware of. Emotionally, children may exhibit increased anxiety, depression, or irritability. Behaviourally, they may regress, act out, or withdraw from social situations. These changes can be alarming, but understanding their connection to trauma is vital for effective support.
“If a child’s distress is affecting their daily functioning at school, home, or in social settings, it’s time to seek professional help,” Serena stressed. This guidance is crucial for parents and caregivers who may be unsure whether the behavioural changes they’re seeing are related to trauma or if other interventions are needed.
3 Tips to Support a Child Who Has Experienced Trauma
- Create a Safe and Predictable Environment:
Serena emphasised that stability is key. A predictable environment where routines are clear can help children feel secure and reduce anxiety. Clear routines and consistency help children know what to expect, which can significantly reduce emotional distress. - Practice Empathetic Listening and Validation:
“By truly listening and validating a child’s emotions, we build trust and help them feel understood,” Serena explained. Empathy and active listening allow children to feel seen and heard, making it easier for them to open up and begin processing their feelings. - Encourage Self-Expression Through Play and Creativity:
Trauma can be difficult to verbalise, so creative outlets like art, music, or play allow children to express themselves in a non-threatening way. “Play is a powerful way for children to process and understand their emotions,” Serena said, highlighting the role of creative expression in emotional healing.
3 Tips for Supporting Neurodiverse Children Affected by Trauma
- Create a Safe and Structured Environment:
For neurodiverse children, routine and predictability are particularly important. Clear communication, such as visual schedules or structured activities, can provide much-needed stability and reduce anxiety. - Use Trauma-Informed Approaches:
Recognising that behaviours may stem from trauma, Serena advises using techniques such as mindfulness exercises, grounding techniques, and sensory tools to help children manage their emotions. “Trauma-informed approaches help children feel more in control and safe within their environment,” she explained. - Encourage Expression and Validate Feelings:
Supporting neurodiverse children means helping them express their emotions in ways that feel safe to them. Whether through art, play, or conversation, validating their feelings and encouraging expression is key to emotional recovery.
Supporting Children with Trauma: Moving Forward with Compassion
The key to supporting children who have experienced trauma is compassion. Serena summed it up well: “A trauma-informed approach is about understanding and meeting children where they are emotionally, so they can heal and begin to thrive.” By being aware of how trauma manifests in both neurotypical and neurodiverse children, we can tailor our support to meet their unique needs.
With the right support, tailored interventions, and a compassionate approach, children, whether neurodiverse or not, can rebuild their resilience and emotional well-being, enabling them to move forward in a healthier, more balanced way.
0 Comments