Beyond PTSD: An Overview of
Childhood Developmental Trauma
Jane Probst, LCSW
&
Christian A. Brashear, Esq.
Trauma Introduced
Analytical Definition
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A sudden and traumatic event
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Wordpress.com
Perceived as dangerous
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Which may involve threat of
personal harm
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Or actual physical harm
Which leads to intense fear.
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Clinical Definition
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The capacity to adapt to changes in
the environment has been
overwhelmed.
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Types
of
Trauma
Type 1: Acute Trauma
Typically involves a one-time stressor
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Example of acute trauama
NATURAL DISASTER
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Example of acute trauama
CAR ACCIDENT
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Type 2: Complex Trauma
Involves prolonged or multiple traumatic
events
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Type 2: Complex Trauma
Typically occurring within a care giving relationship
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Example of complex trauma
NEGLECT
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Example of complex trauma
PHYSICAL ABUSE
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Example of complex trauma
SEXUAL ABUSE
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Occurs in the early years of life
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Causes the
integrative fibers of
the brain to stop
functioning well
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Causes the
integrative fibers of
the brain to suffer
growth delays
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Causes the
integrative fibers of
the brain to diminish
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Evidenced in
lessening of the
self-regulatory
fibers in the
corpus callosum
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Evidenced in
lessening of the
self-regulatory
fibers in the
prefrontal regions
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Evidenced in
lessening of the
self-regulatory
fibers in the
hippocampus
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Self-regulation
impacts :
executive functioning
Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Executive functioning
is the ability of an
individual to assess
the priority of events
in life.
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Executive functioning
example: Do I
ignore the baby to
watch my favorite
TV show?
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Executive functioning
example: Do I
ignore the infected
blister on my foot to
go dancing with my
girlfriend?
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brettworks.com
Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Self-regulation
impacts :
emotions
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Self-regulation
impacts :
attention spa
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Self-regulation
impacts :
thought
Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Self-regulation
impacts :
behavior
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Self-regulation
impacts :
social functioning
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Type 3: Developmental Trauma
Developmental trauma at its most basic
overcomes the system of personality and
its ability to integrate these complex
systems.
Why is Trauma important?
EVERY CHILD IN FOSTER CARE IS
SUFFERING FROM SOME MANNER OF
TRAUMA
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Why is Trauma important?
A child's family IS his or her universe.
Why is Trauma important?
As children, we assume the life we lead is
normal.
Why is Trauma important?
Case Study: The dirty mattress
Why is Trauma important?
Children are NOT tiny adults.
Why is Trauma important?
Though they may use a different logic system,
a logic system is still there.
Why is Trauma important?
Trauma can manifest itself in a wide variety of
symptoms.
Nervousness.
Why is Trauma important?
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Fatigue.
Why is Trauma important?
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Headaches.
Why is Trauma important?
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Stomach aches.
Why is Trauma important?
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Nausea.
Why is Trauma important?
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Palpitations.
Why is Trauma important?
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Pain.
Why is Trauma important?
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Insomnia.
Why is Trauma important?
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Nightmares.
Why is Trauma important?
Fear.
Why is Trauma important?
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Anxiety.
Why is Trauma important?
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Panic.
Why is Trauma important?
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Irritability.
Why is Trauma important?
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Anger.
Why is Trauma important?
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Withdrawal.
Why is Trauma important?
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Indifference.
Why is Trauma important?
Depression.
Why is Trauma important?
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Confusion.
Why is Trauma important?
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Hopelessness.
Why is Trauma important?
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Inability to concentrate.
Why is Trauma important?
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Skipping School.
Why is Trauma important?
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Poor grades.
Why is Trauma important?
Emotional barriers to caregivers.
Why is Trauma important?
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Distrust.
Why is Trauma important?
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Attachment issues.
Why is Trauma important?
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Development of Trauma
Children are a DEVELOPING microcosm of their
own environment.
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Development of Trauma
That development
becomes internalized
into their own
response
mechanisms.
Development of Trauma
Primitive Brain
v/s
Advanced Brain
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calvarychapelabuse.com
Development of Trauma
The primitive brain
triggers the release of
adrenaline, cortisol
and other hormones,
resulting in simple
responses...
Development of Trauma
FIGHT...
Development of Trauma
FLIGHT...
Development of Trauma
FREEZE...
Development of Trauma
The advanced brain, however, is responsible for
thinking, reasoning and processing. A child
exposed to trauma may become “stuck” in the
primitive brain.
ACE SCORES
Adverse Childhood Experience
Use The ACE Score Calculator to find out! The ACE Score attributes
one point for each category of exposure to child abuse and/or
neglect. Add up the points for a Score of 0 to 10. The higher the
score, the greater the exposure, and therefore the greater the risk of
negative consequences. These consequences are discussed
throughout the publications also available for download from
http://acestudy.org.
ACE SCORES
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ACE SCORES
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ACE SCORES
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ACE SCORES
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ACE SCORES
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ACE SCORES
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ACE SCORES
Our Group - Per Question
ACE SCORES
Our scores.
Our Group – Frequency Distribution
ACE SCORES
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
11
10
10
9
89
78
67
Series1
56
45
34
23
12
01
Our Group – Frequency totals
The average was ….. 2.41
Happy Birthday, Tracey Sasso!!
Special thanks to Missy Wilson and Jennifer Fowler.