“Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression” (Ginott, 1972). Many people in our society believe a single traumatic event can have lasting effects on even the youngest of children. In this paper, I will look at how a child, more specifically, Amarika, can display a varying range of reactions after exposure to a traumatic event.
Core Concept Reflection of Case Study
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force created twelve core concepts for understanding traumatic stress responses in childhood. The fourth core concept is “children can exhibit a wide range of reactions to trauma and loss (NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force, 2012). It is commonly believed …show more content…
This is consistent with conclusions from Briggs-Gowan et al. (2010) which found that “violence exposure was broadly associated with psychiatric status areas of depression, separation anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and conduct problems…” Amarika displayed a change in appetite after being present when her mother was shot (Gosh-Ippen, Lieberman, & the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force, 2012). Amarika was also reported to have sleep disturbances, waking up screaming several times each night (Gosh-Ippen, Lieberman, & the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force, …show more content…
This was combined with a significant increase in separation anxiety crying for over an hour every time her grandmother left the house. Lieberman and Knorr infer children exposed to traumatic events experience and respond in individual ways (2007). “Distress is expressed through sensorimotor disorganization and disruption of biological systems, as shown for example in frequent and prolonged crying, unresponsiveness to soothing, (…) feeding disturbances, sleeping disorders, lack of interest in the environment and various somatic problems with no detectable cause” (Lieberman & Knoor, 2007). Marlene also reports Amarika was difficult to soothe; even watching her favorite show would not calm her (Gosh-Ippen, Lieberman, & the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force,
Core Concept Reflection of Case Study
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force created twelve core concepts for understanding traumatic stress responses in childhood. The fourth core concept is “children can exhibit a wide range of reactions to trauma and loss (NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force, 2012). It is commonly believed …show more content…
This is consistent with conclusions from Briggs-Gowan et al. (2010) which found that “violence exposure was broadly associated with psychiatric status areas of depression, separation anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and conduct problems…” Amarika displayed a change in appetite after being present when her mother was shot (Gosh-Ippen, Lieberman, & the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force, 2012). Amarika was also reported to have sleep disturbances, waking up screaming several times each night (Gosh-Ippen, Lieberman, & the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force, …show more content…
This was combined with a significant increase in separation anxiety crying for over an hour every time her grandmother left the house. Lieberman and Knorr infer children exposed to traumatic events experience and respond in individual ways (2007). “Distress is expressed through sensorimotor disorganization and disruption of biological systems, as shown for example in frequent and prolonged crying, unresponsiveness to soothing, (…) feeding disturbances, sleeping disorders, lack of interest in the environment and various somatic problems with no detectable cause” (Lieberman & Knoor, 2007). Marlene also reports Amarika was difficult to soothe; even watching her favorite show would not calm her (Gosh-Ippen, Lieberman, & the NCTSN Core Curriculum on Childhood Trauma Task Force,