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Published on: February 16, 2011
Violence Exposure and Trauma-Informed Care
Michael Arenson1, Heather Forkey2
1UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center, UMass Chan Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; Center for Child Health Equity.
Insights
Trauma-informed care (TIC) helps pediatricians address childhood violence by understanding trauma
Area of Science:
- Pediatric medicine
- Child psychology
- Trauma studies
Background:
- Violence significantly impacts child development and well-being.
- Pediatricians need effective strategies to address childhood trauma.
- Trauma-informed care (TIC) offers a framework for understanding and treating trauma responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a current approach to treating childhood trauma within pediatric practice.
- To highlight the importance of trauma-informed care (TIC) in pediatrics.
- To outline key components of a TIC strategy for pediatricians.
Main Methods:
- Integrating knowledge of evolution, child development, and physiology into clinical practice.
- Prioritizing trauma assessment in pediatric differential diagnoses.
- Utilizing a strengths-based approach to treatment.
Main Results:
- TIC enhances pediatricians' ability to identify and manage childhood trauma.
- Scaffolding supportive adult relationships is crucial for healing.
- Strengthening resilience and addressing trauma symptoms are key interventions.
Conclusions:
- Trauma-informed care (TIC) is essential for pediatricians addressing violence.
- A proactive, trauma-informed approach supports children's recovery and resilience.
- Effective pediatric trauma care involves understanding biological and developmental responses to adversity.
Abstract:
Addressing violence in pediatrics requires a working knowledge of trauma-informed care (TIC). TIC weaves together our current understanding of evolution, child development, and human physiology and how these explain common childhood responses to traumatic events. In this article, we describe our current approach to treating childhood trauma in the context of violence. Ultimately, TIC relies on the pediatrician's ability to keep trauma high on their differential diagnosis. TIC leverages a child's natural strengths and biologic processes by (1) scaffolding the patient's relationships to safe, stable, and nurturing adults and (2) strengthening core resilience skills while addressing trauma symptoms when necessary.
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