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Youth Development and Trauma

Explore the crucial role of brain development, the impact of trauma, and strategies for recovery in youth. Learn how positive experiences, coping skills, and support can promote healthy development and overcome the long-term effects of trauma.

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Youth Development and Trauma

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  1. Youth Development and Trauma Division of Juvenile Justice

  2. Brain Development • Exercise (size of adult brain)

  3. Brain Development • The brain plays a part in all that we do. • Brain develops from the inside out • Physical (first to develop) responsible for life functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure • Emotional development (feelings such as anger, happy, sad) • Cognitive development is the thinking part of the brain such as planning, reasoning, consequences, impulsivity

  4. Brain Development • Early childhood is crucial to how the brain develops • Experiences as a child impact how our brains develop. When kids feel safe and calm, they are able to learn without distractions • Talking • Walking • Play • Attachment • Social/emotional

  5. Brain Development • Both positive and negative experiences cause changes in the brain • Both positive and negative experiences can have a powerful impact on the brain • The brain strengthens connections through repetition and practice • Even as adults, brains are capable of learning and changing

  6. Adolescent Brain Development • Adolescence is like giving a teenager a snow machine with : • A new engine with a lot of horsepower (physical growth) • A sensitive throttle that can go from 0 to80 in a few seconds (emotions) • And poor brakes with no repair parts due to come in for years (thinking)

  7. Cognitive Development • Prefrontal lobe: Science now knows that the prefrontal lobe is developing and maturing up through the mid-20’s. • Decision making • Thinking and planning ahead • Analyze risks and rewards

  8. Cognitive Development • Remember your teenage years: Did you ever do anything that could have involved the police or Village Police Officer (VPO) • What has changed in your thinking and behaviors since being a teenager: • Self-control • Ability to consider short-term and long-term consequences • Susceptibility to peer pressure

  9. What Happens to a Teenager When… • They have a mental health or behavioral problems • They have experienced trauma

  10. Trauma • Traumatic experiences are based on the individual views the situation or event and can include: • Abuse: physical, emotional, sexual • Neglect • Being victimized • Domestic Violence • Violence in the community/village • Accident/illness • Witnessing suicide or suicide attempt • School shooting • Not everyone who has an adverse experience is traumatized

  11. Trauma Changes the Developing Brain

  12. Trauma • When we are in danger our brain has a natural alarm system alerting us to seek safety • Trauma can cause the alarm system in our brain to go off too easily or to shut down

  13. Responding to Trauma • Fight • Flight • Dissociation • Freezing (emotionally shut down) • Self-harm • To block out emotional pain • To start feeling again as too numb

  14. Symptoms of Trauma • Symptoms of trauma can include: • Nightmares • Flashbacks • “Fight or flight” • Disassociation • Self-harm (cutting, burning, head banging) • Anxious, unable to calm down • Overreact to normal situations • Always assuming someone may be angry, hurtful (if the person is not smiling then something must be wrong) • Feel like walking on egg shells (always on alert) • Problems paying attention • Aggression towards others

  15. Long-Term Impact of Trauma • Long-term impact of trauma can increase an individual’s risk for: • Mental health or behavior problem • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Depression • Isolation/Withdrawal • Sleep problems • Substance abuse • Alcohol, drugs and tobacco can harm the teenage brain • Teenagers with trauma are higher risk to become addicts than adults • Physical health problems (bedwetting, stomach aches, headaches) • Problems in school (learning difficulties)

  16. Recovering from Trauma What adults can do: • Must create safety (from a trauma perspective, individuals act out when they feel unsafe) • Providing structure and consistency can help create a sense of safety • Setting limits can increase a sense of safety but set limits appropriately • No violence • No yelling • Provide support—anyone can do this • Ask the person what they are most worried about • Listen • Be available

  17. Recovering from Trauma What adults can do: • Teach calming skills, coping skills, problem-solving skills • Learn to recognize physical signs of distress • Teach relaxation/meditation (drumming, deep breathing, fishing, berry picking) • Help them find ways to express their feelings (verbally, writing, art, story telling, singing, dance) • Encourage physical activity/sports

  18. Recovering from Trauma What adults can do: • Teach calming skills, coping skills, problem-solving skills • Learn to recognize physical signs of distress • Teach relaxation/meditation (drumming, deep breathing, fishing, berry picking) • Help them find ways to express their feelings (verbally, writing, art, story telling, singing, dance) • Encourage physical activity/sports

  19. Recovering from Trauma What adults can do: • Build on strengths which can include developing spiritual beliefs and cultural identity • Break the cycle • Remember there is always hope

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