Addressing Childhood Trauma

Abstract

Childhood exposure to violence, and resultant traumatic dysregulation pose immediate and long-term threats to individual development and to public health. Recognizing the phenomena and phases of children’s post-traumatic reactions following their exposure to violence has led to a clear roadmap for multidisciplinary and clinical interventions that most appropriately address children’s needs at each phase of post-traumatic reaction. A deeper understanding of childhood trauma and a greater appreciation of the value of early identification and intervention has also increased recognition of the value of multidisciplinary collaborative efforts in addressing the complex needs of traumatized children and families. Greater understanding of the roles that various professionals can play in helping children to recover from violent trauma has resulted in important innovations in law enforcement practice, pediatric health care, child welfare systems, and school systems. Similarly, a better understanding of childhood trauma has contributed to the development of an effective, evidence-based, early clinical intervention that can help to reduce immediate symptoms and the development of longer-term post-traumatic disorders, as well as to treatments that can interrupt the longer-term disorders that emerge when there is a failure of recovery from traumatic events.