Vol. 10, No. 3
June 2005

Responding to a Child's Acute PTSD Reaction

Following is advice for child welfare workers and birth, foster, and adoptive parents.

If you can, find out ahead of time what upsets a child and how to calm the child down.
Use calm words and, when appropriate, gentle touch; reassure the child that he or she is safe.
Remind the child that you are there to take care of him and keep him safe.
Remind the child (and yourself) that these difficult episodes will pass, and, in time should become less frequent and less severe.
Don’t shame the child for “babyish” behavior that is young for his or her age.
If certain things trigger a PTSD reaction (e.g., dark rooms, closed doors, TV violence) identify these things so that you can help the child anticpate these in the future and learn to cope with them.
Respect the child’s wishes about whether to talk about the trauma.

Sources: MBHP, 2003; McNally et al., 2003.