Impacts of Trauma in the Growing Mind

Welcome to another lesson on trauma. Trauma can effect development in the growing mind of a child. Impacts of trauma will vary based on a number of factors, such as: the child's age and developmental stage, their temperament, their resilience, how the child perceived the danger, their past experience with trauma, the support they get after the trauma, and other factors.

But here is a loose guide on how trauma can impact the growing mind based on the age of the child when the trauma happens.

Children between the ages of Birth to five may have some or all of these impacts from trauma:

• Have a sensitivity to loud noises

• Revert back to behaviors they might have outgrown (such as already being potty trained and going back to have accidents or going back to sucking their thumb, etc)

• Being clingy or not wanting to separate from adults they are familiar with

• Resisting and struggling to leave a place where they feel safe (such as bedroom or house)

• Reject or avoid being touched

• Be confused about what is dangerous and who to go to for protection

Children between the ages of six to twelve may have some or all of these impacts from trauma:

• Mood swings

• Problems with learning and paying attention

• Have specific anxieties and fears

• Attention seeking

• Revert back to younger behaviors

Children between the ages of thirteen to twenty-one may have some or all of these impacts from trauma:

• Live "in the moment" - they might have trouble imagining or planning for the future

• They may over or under estimate danger

• They may behave in ways that are aggressive or disruptive

• Might abuse drugs or alcohol

• They could engage in reckless or self-destructive behaviors which could include, cutting or risky sexual behaviors.

Though there are other behaviors a child might experience these are some of the most common ones. Want to learn more about trauma? Check back on the website for more trauma knowledge.