Surviving
the Trauma
Presented
by Dee Paddock, Families with a Difference
NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
13th Annual Statewide Adoption Training Conference
Adoption 2002: Linking Promises to Possibilities
May 11, 2002 • Albany New York
UNDERSTANDING THE
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF TRAUMA
ON THE DEVELOPING BRAINS OF CHILDREN
"Trauma: An emotional shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to an individual's psychological development; overwhelming, uncontrollable experiences that psychologically impact victims by creating in them feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, loss of safety and loss of control.""Abnormal micro-environmental cues and atypical patterns of neural activity during critical and sensitive periods can result in malorganization and compromised function in brain-mediated functions such as empathy, attachment and affect regulation." (Bruce Perry, MD)
What is the Neurological Relationship Between Trauma and Attachment? 1. Limbic and cortical systems are both involved in a child's emotional development.
2. Increased vigilance and hyperarousal can cause traumatized children to misinterpret other people's behaviors and intentions.
3. Traumatized children interpret information very concretely and have difficulty seeing the similarities and differences between situations. This effects attachment: if you can't pick up on the cues that tell you who is familiar and who is not, then you may treat everyone the same way.
4. Trauma may cause a decreased neurological capacity to empathize or sympathize with others.
5. High levels of the stress hormone cortisol may change the nature of a traumatized child's attention and focus.
6. The ability to pay attention to the nonverbal social world, which is vital to creating and maintaining relationships, may be decreased in traumatized children.
7. Trauma may cause a decreased neurological ability to comprehend social rules and expectations, especially when they change frequently.
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