The Influence of Trauma and Toxic Stress on the Social-Emotional Health of Infants, Toddlers and...

The Influence of Trauma and Toxic Stress on the Social-Emotional Health of Infants, Toddlers and

their FamiliesMonday, 12/8/08

Kim Diamond Berry, Ph.DCourt Teams for Maltreated

Infants and ToddlersZERO TO THREE

[email protected]

Improving Understanding of Maternal and Child Health Project

The ABA’s IUMCH Project seeks to improve child health-related knowledge and skills of attorneys, judges and other legal professionals who handle cases involving very young children from birth to age five.

The ABA is working with project partners:

ZERO TO THREE National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer

http://www.ncjfcj.org/

http://www.ncjfcj.org/

Copyright © 2008 by ZERO TO THREE

Overview

1. Typical Child Development

2. Impact of Maltreatment and Toxic Stress on Infant and Toddler Development

3. Practices that Support Healthy Infant and Toddler Development

ZERO TO THREE

Early experiences matter.

The care that adults provide for infants and toddlers has an enduring effect on their health and

development. Investments in high quality care and services yield significant social and economic benefits

today and in the future.


Typical Child Development

Five domains of development:

Physical/Motor Cognition Communication Adaptive Social/Emotional

Domains are interrelatedExample: Infant

Mental Health Handout


Factors Influencing Child Development

Health Prenatal Care Maternal Health Child Health

Relationships Infant/Caregiver;

Child/Caregiver Attachment


Factors Influencing Child Development

Environment Safe

Constant routines

Predictable


Impact of Trauma on Infants and Toddlers

After birth (difficult infant/caregiver relationships)

Two types of trauma causing inability to thrive:

Before birth (congenital)



Congenital examples of:

Fetal-Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Babies born addicted to drugs Other genetic disorders

Cause:

Failure to thrive Difficulty making all necessary neural connections Difficulty learning and developing to full potential



Infant/Caregiver Relationships Disrupted by:

Multiple out-of-home placements

Exposure to chronic maltreatment (violence/abuse)

Irregular daily routines



Infant/Caregiver relationship disruptions cause:

Infant Mental Health Disorders (Handout)

Attachment Disorders



Natural Disasters can also cause trauma…


What’s Happening in the Brain?

Genes are responsible

for wiring and general

connections of parts

Experiences are responsible

for fine-tuning the connections

Brain development is

activity-dependent

Experiences excite neural

activity

1998. ZERO TO THREE. Reproduced with permission of copyright holder. B1998. ZERO TO THREE. Reproduced with permission of copyright holder. BrainWonders Online: rainWonders Online: http://www.zerotothree.org/brainwonders. . Baby Baby Brain Map Image copyright 2007 ZERO TO THREE.Brain Map Image copyright 2007 ZERO TO THREE. Further reproduction requires expressed permission from ZERO TO THREE (Further reproduction requires expressed permission from ZERO TO THREE (www.zerotothree.org). ).


What’s Happening in the Brain?

Newborn Early Childhood

Later Childhood

PruningPruning


Impact of Trauma on Infants, Toddlers and Families

Many infants and toddlers exposed simultaneously

to congenital and social-emotional traumas.

Intergenerational cycle of trauma that needs comprehensive intervention strategies


Meeting Trauma-Exposed Infants, Toddlers and Families Where They Are

Prenatal Care & Interventions

Prenatal History (when available)

Early Intervention (EI) Screening


Meeting Trauma-Exposed Infants, Toddlers and Families Where They Are (cont.)

Permanency Placement Plans (a.s.a.p.)

Training and Support for Early Childhood Development Specialists and Caregivers

Formation of coalitions of Caregivers, Parents and Early Childhood Development Specialists to develop comprehensive case plans


Scenarios for discussion

What’s the ticket…?

What’s the destination…?


Participant Scenarios for Discussion


Final Thoughts

Questions

Wrap-up

The Influence of Trauma and Toxic Stress on the Social-Emotional Health of Infants, Toddlers and...

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