The Effects Of Trauma On Children And Adolescents

Patients have needs unrelated to their illness or injury. Having spent my entire career in pediatrics, often my focus is on developmental needs and what activities can be provided that support normal development. Some needs, however, seem to be universal. The need for play, learning, and social contact are not restricted to children. Meeting the emotional and psychosocial needs of the patient without compromising the physical needs demanded by the illness or injury is occasionally a delicate balancing act, and is where the art of nursing meets the science of nursing. By collaborating with our patients and families and respecting their values, a plan can be reached that both supports their needs and involves them in their own care.

Communication is a crucial skill for every Child Life Specialist to possess as a professional. Each day the Child Life Specialist must communicate with not only the parents, but also the child and his or her siblings. However, the specialist cannot converse with children in the same manner they do with adults. Children require alternate means of communication because they are not always fully able to convey their thoughts and emotions with words alone. As a result, the Child Life Specialist may utilize therapeutic

Throughout the years, several adults have been affected by traumatic events that have taken place during their childhood(s). Lenore C. Terr (January, 1999) states, "Childhood trauma appears to be a critical etiological factor in the development of a number of serious disorders both in childhood and in adulthood." To better understand childhood trauma, Terr defines this as, the "mental result of one sudden, external or a series of blows, rendering the young person temporarily helpless and breaking past ordinary coping and defense operations" (January, 1999). The statistics of childhood trauma is alarming. In the United States, there are approximately five million children that experience trauma each year, with two million of these cases

The facility provides medical care for children and adolescents with severe physical and intellectual impairment conditions. The TWSCCC provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, 24-hour Respiratory Therapy services, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, Licensed On-site teachers, and a large variety of specialty care services (Truman W. Smith). The facility offers a viable and solicitous option for parents who are unable to take of their chronically ill children in their home, and for children who have been placed in state custody. The TWSCCC allows patients to receive the care they need and might otherwise not receive, in an adequately equipped facility via a staff of specialized care providers who advocate for the patients wants, rights, and well-being. The TWSCCC facility welcomes residents regardless of race, gender, religion, or economic status.

At first, I would provide introduction of child life services and ask some questions to assess the patient and his family. I will encourage the patient and his family to discuss questions or concerns about what they experienced and will experience. Then, I will provide brief explanation of procedures and treatments he will experience during this hospitalization. If the patient will experience the surgery, I will provide preparation. I will chart on the patient after each intervention, evaluate and plan the next

The exposure of children to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and other forms of maltreatment is

Trauma is perceived as a physical or psychological threat or assault to a person’s physical integrity, sense of self, safety and/or survival or to the physical safety of a significant other; family member, friend, partner. (Kilpatrick, Saunders, and Smith, 2003). An adolescent may experience trauma from a variety of experiences, including but not limited to: abuse (sexual, physical, and/or emotional); neglect; abandonment; bullying; exposure to domestic violence and/ or community violence; natural disasters; medical procedures; loss/grief due to a death of a family member(s); surgery; accidents or serious illness; and war (Kilpatrick, Saunders, and Smith, 2003).

Once the CCLS is aware of the reason why the patient is in the unit, they will be able to assess the methods they will use depending on the child’s condition. This will also help the other health professionals aiding the patient. With this policy, families will have the option whether to consult with the child life specialist. Doing this could touch on the psychological issues that the patient is dealing with. This can aid the mental and emotional stress that comes when dealing with major health decisions with themselves or the child’s/patient’s family member. There will be strategical procedures and programs that help children that deal with mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. They can do interventions that were done like in the studies mentioned. For the patients that suffer with emotional and mental stress, there

-A succinct philosophy of family nursing is seen in The Association for the Care of Children’s Health standards stating the expectation for healthcare providers to facilitate family/professional collaboration at all levels of care, and to recognizing family as the constant in the patient’s life whereas the healthcare providers will fluctuate (p.40, 2003).

1. The square and compass facility setting provided a neutral and calm environment to incorporate excellent patient care. Starting in the waiting room, a playful set up was encompassed to direct to the pediatric patient population. Back in the treatment area, the walls obtained neutral tones with calming artwork throughout the environment. The noise was appropriate for the setting and smell was clean with an absence of any foul odors. Lighting throughout the facility was appropriate and not too overwhelming for the patients. The temperature was warm and comfortable for all individuals in the facility. Privacy and personal items for the patients were maintained in their individual rooms with a door for separation. This form of privacy contributed to the excellent patient care provided by the healthcare professionals. Overall, the square and compass primary care facility obtained an effective environment to ensure the well-being of the patients.

When creating care plans for children it is so important to include the child’s family in their care as it will benefit in this case both James and his family in helping to meet his milestonesIt is especially important when creating care plans for children to include where possible the philosophy of children’s and young person’s nursing which is family centred care. (Glasper and McEwing, 2010). Family centred care does not mean that parents have to remain with their child at all-times in hospital.it Care planning is all about prioritising what is best for the patient and putting the patient first (in this scenario James) but also incorporating family centred care in the patients plan. As discussed in care plan 3, we saw how James experienced anxiety as a result of hospitalisation for the first time and how his mother also suffered from anxiety as a result of not being able to stay with James all the time. In spite of this, James’ individualised care plan alleviated this problem by assigning him a nurse that he built a trusting relationship with and by creating a home environment for him by bringing in some family photos and comforts like his blanket and favourite toys.

Trauma occurs when a child has experienced an event that threatens or causes harm to her emotional and physical well-being. Events can include war, terrorism, natural disasters, but the most common and harmful to a child’s psychosocial well-being are those such as domestic violence, neglect, physical and sexual abuse, maltreatment, and witnessing a traumatic event. While some children may experience a traumatic event and go on to develop normally, many children have long lasting implications into adulthood.

Childhood is a time for playdates and learning, a time for big dreams and imaginary adventures. Safety and security should not be questions that linger in uncertainty. However, this is not the case for many children across the globe. Thousands of children from all walks of life each day are faced with unspeakable horror and must deal with the resulting trauma from then on. However, in children, managing this trauma takes a different toll on the mind and heart than it does in adults. While the type of trauma may vary in pervasiveness across countries, trauma occurring in childhood has the ability to cause long term damage to the growing neurological functioning in the brain and negatively influence children’s spiritual development, wounding

Childhood trauma is one of the most heartbreaking situations to ever fathom happening. Childhood trauma includes neglect, maltreatment, physical and emotional abuse, and many other forms of mistreatment amongst children. Childhood trauma occurs between the ages of 0 and 6 years of age. When referencing to childhood trauma, one must take thought into who commits the abuse, who is affected by the abuse, and what long term effects can the abuse have on the victims. One must also take into consideration the sex differences when referring to childhood trauma. Numerous of studies have been conducted and many findings have been made. Prior to conducting this research paper, I only considered childhood trauma to be what it was and never considered the long term effects. Because of my assumption, I never even considered the other categories of the trauma.

There are many types of trauma that can effect an adolescent and without the proper treatment of the traumatic event the adolescent can have difficulty adapting and developing into adulthood. Kathleen J. Moroz, of the Vermont Agency of Human Services, defines trauma as a physical or psychological threat or assault to a child’s physical integrity, sense of self, safety of survival or to the physical safety of another person significant to the child. She goes on to list the types of trauma a child may be exposed to. Abuse of every kind, domestic violence, natural disasters, abandonment, serious illness or an accident are just a few traumatic events that can effect the development of a child. (2) When these events occur as an acute event