For the past year, I
have had the pleasure of caring for a child in my preschool and childcare who
is a victim of severe abuse. (I will change his name to Connor for confidentiality
concerns) During the first 15 months of Connor’s life, he required two life
flights to pediatric trauma centers due to the severity of his abuse, including
a skull fracture. Connor’s foster parents picked him up from UC San Francisco’s
Children’s Hospital last year and have done an amazing job of making sure
Connor receives all of the services he needs and deserves. Connor receives Post
Traumatic Stress therapy as a result of research proving the benefits of sensory
implicit strategies with children who have suffered trauma.
The National Institute
of Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) a program that has demonstrated by field
testing, exploratory research, time series studies, and evidence-based research
studies that its Structured Sensory Intervention for Traumatized Children,
Adolescents, and Parents (SITCAP[R]) produces statistically significant
reductions of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reactions through the early
and primary use of sensory implicit strategies, (Steele, William: Kuban, &
Caelan, 2010). TLC’s mission includes not only providing training for
evidence-based trauma intervention but also giving participants the tools they
need to work effectively with traumatized children and families in their
communities.
Connor’s therapist
participated in the TLC training and learned methods that move past cognitive,
talk therapy to create deep brain exercises of safety and trust. She has
observed Connor in my preschool and has given me some recommendations on how I
can support him. When Connor seems to be over stimulated, my staff and I offer
him hugs and massage while talking calmly or reading to him. The pressure of
the hugs and massage seem to help calm him. Some of his toys are weighted to
help “slow him down” and he has several items to squeeze. Play-dough works
wonders!
Today, Conner seems to
be a typically developing, happy two year old who loves to sing and dance with
his friends. Through corrective sensory experiences, he is learning to overcome
extreme fear and cope effectively with emotional arousal.
References
Steele, William: Kuban, & Caelan, (2010).
Structured sensory trauma interventions,
Reclaiming Children and Youth,
Retrieved From: http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=5979d422-3458-4458-87d6-17afccf1f484%40sessionmgr111&hid=124&bdata=JnNjb3BlPXNpdGU%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ895281
Hi Christine,
ReplyDeleteI give you a standing ovation for working with a child that has suffered at a young age, no child should ever go through abuse. I'm glad this little boy has strong, positive, and healthy people in his life that love and cherish him to get better and to overcome the many struggles and challenges he will face for the rest of his life. Continue to support him and watch him grow!! He could benefit from sensory input activities, play dough works wonders for children like this little boy. Try various sensory activities with him; goop (water and cornstarch), ooblack (glue and liquid starch), shaving cream, foam paint, and other fun and messy activities. I used many of these activities with a child that was very aggressive and these activities helped slow him down. I found this site and supports and offers multiple resources on child abuse and neglect; though most of the information is based in Massachusetts, they offer many resources, hot lines, and support groups.
Reference
Child Abuse and Neglect. MSPP Interface: Referral Service at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Retrieved from http://msppinterface.org/abuse/Boston
Hi Christine,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and an amazing resource you have in TLC! A blessing to all children who have been abused. Many of those resources will be a help to many of us who work with young children - thank you for sharing! I work in Southern California and plan to see if they have other branches doing similar work. Let me know if you have any additional state resources that may help...I am always looking for additional options for help when it's needed!
Leigh Ann
Christine,
ReplyDeleteIt sound like Connor is an amazing child who is on his way to living a happy,healthy and fulfilling life. This is an exemplary model of the impact research can have on children and families. It is also important to note the exceptional support Connor has received from the adults in his life. They have worked together to provide unified support by communicating strategies that are successful. Without the commitment of the adults the research would not have the same impact on Connor's treatment.
This is an amazing story! And you have played an big role in this child's life. It is great that you have found a resource that can help you give this little boy the best care possible. It's amazing that he has so many wonderful, caring, and loving people around him to give him a great childhood that is full of laughter and good health!
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