dealing with disaster related trauma in children
Course Description:
Children have limited experience in the world and depend on adults to feel safe and secure. As such, any indication that their emotional or physical integrity is at risk can impact them psychologically. This online course defines disaster related trauma and helps learners recognize possible “red flags” which may indicate the need for further intervention. Additionally, the course provides potential interventions to assist children in recovering from disaster related trauma and addresses "resilience" in disaster situations.
Course Objective:
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities:
Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (CDC):
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
Children have limited experience in the world and depend on adults to feel safe and secure. As such, any indication that their emotional or physical integrity is at risk can impact them psychologically. This online course defines disaster related trauma and helps learners recognize possible “red flags” which may indicate the need for further intervention. Additionally, the course provides potential interventions to assist children in recovering from disaster related trauma and addresses "resilience" in disaster situations.
Course Objective:
- Promote awareness among public health workers of possible psychological effects (i.e. trauma, PTSD) of disasters on children
- Facilitate a basic understanding of known signs and symptoms of trauma and available treatment options
- Trauma is a real and potentially serious problem.
- Children are a vulnerable population and thus are especially at-risk of trauma after a disaster event.
- Children’s trauma is underappreciated, underreported, and undertreated.
- Trauma is treatable; public health workers can play a role in promoting a child’s recovery.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Capabilities:
- Community Preparedness
- Volunteer Management
Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (CDC):
- 1.1 Solve problems under emergency conditions.
- 1.2 Manage behaviors associated with emotional responses in self and others.
- 1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and external emergency response partners.
- 1.4 Maintain situational awareness.
- 1.5 Demonstrate respect for all persons and cultures.
- 1.6 Act within the scope of one's legal authority.
- 2.2 Use principles of crisis and risk communication.
- 2.3 Report information potentially relevant to the identification and control of an emergency through the chain of command.
- 3.3 Participate in improving the organization's capacities (including, but not limited to program, plans, policies, laws, and workforce training).
- 3.4 Refer matters outside of one's scope of legal authority through the chain of command.
- 4.1 Maintain personal/family emergency preparedness plans.
At the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Describe disaster-related effects of trauma on children and list 7 typical childhood reactions to trauma
- List 5 factors that influence children’s reactions to trauma
- Identify symptoms of trauma in different age groups
- Define “red flags” and name at least 5 “red flag” situations that indicate possible need for further intervention
- Define resilience and identify 3 factors variables that can influence a child’s resilience
- Identify potential interventions public health workers can use to assist children in recovering from disaster-related trauma