The Early Years
A child experiences several changes in caregivers at a young age. What might become difficult for the child?
Answer: Developing trust, feeling secure and believing that people will stay.
Feelings Check
Name 3 emotions someone might feel after experiencing abuse.
shame, guilt, embarrassment, deserving, angry, sadness, hate, fear, Powerlessness, Confusion, oversexual, Loneliness
True or false: Children are responsible for the abuse or neglect they experience.
Answer: False.
A child is told “no” and immediately starts yelling. What is the trigger?
Answer: Being denied something he wants.
A kid wants to use another person's Game Boy. What should he do first?
Answer: Ask for permission first.
When someone grows up in unsafe situations, their brain may:
A) Stay on high alert
B) Have trouble trusting people
C) React quickly without thinking
D) All of the above
Answer: D
High alert= hypervigilance.
Trust issues= attachment injury.
Quick reactions= survival brain dominance.
All are protective responses.
A child hides food in his bedroom even though his caregiver provides regular meals. What might explain this behavior?
Answer: Previous food insecurity, fear of deprivation or a desire to feel prepared.
A child has experienced harsh punishment and becomes frightened when an adult raises their voice. What might the raised voice remind him of?
Answer: Previous frightening experiences or punishment.
A child gets angry and tears up his schoolwork. What is one better choice he could make?
Answer: Request a break, ask for help or explain his frustration.
If a child a bullied within his family at home, what might that child do to others to make himself feel better about himself or to get "revenge"?
Be mean and bully other children.
What is the difference between “survival brain” and “thinking brain”?
fight/flight/freeze/impulse control.
Survival brain = fast, emotional, protective.
Thinking brain = slow, logical, future-focused.
Under stress, survival brain wins.
Teens already have developing prefrontal cortex → more impulsivity.
A child has previously had his belongings taken away. Why might he become extremely upset when someone touches his possessions?
Answer: His belongings may represent security, ownership, control or predictability.
A child has been threatened with being sent away. Why might an ordinary consequence bring up unusually strong feelings?
Answer: He may associate consequences with rejection, separation or losing his home.
A child deliberately breaks a rule after receiving a consequence. What might he be trying to accomplish?
Answer: Retaliate, regain control, obtain attention or escape a demand.
How might a child feel after they are bullied for things like their looks, clothing or intelligence?
Shame, angry, hurt
A young child is separated from a parent and doesn't understand why. Name three feelings the child might experience.
Answer: Sadness, confusion, fear, anger, loneliness or rejection.
If risky behavior could talk, what emotion do you think it is trying to escape from?
Explain....
Risky behavior often tries to escape:
Shame
Emotional pain
Loneliness
Feeling unwanted
Powerlessness
Numbness
Anxiety
Risky behavior temporarily numbs or replaces painful emotions.
It can create dopamine → short relief.
The relief is real but temporary.
Afterward, shame may increase.
A child experienced physical and emotional abuse. He sometimes reacts defensively even when an adult is trying to help. What might he be having difficulty recognizing?
Answer: Whether the situation and adult are safe.
A child becomes angry and starts hitting, blocking people or swinging recklessly. Name three ways to respond without hurting anyone.
Answer: Move to a safe space, request help, use a coping skill, communicate the feeling or take a supervised break.
One thing you survived that shows strength?
Resilience is key
A child has experienced neglect and hasn't always had someone consistently meet his needs. Why might he have difficulty asking adults for help?
Answer: He may have learned that adults aren't always available or dependable.
True or False: A child who has multiple placements and caregivers may urinate or defecate as a coping mechanism when stressed, overwhelmed or fearful.
True.
A child has been exposed to inappropriate material or behavior and struggles to understand personal boundaries. Name three things adults can teach him.
Answer: Consent, privacy, appropriate physical boundaries, respecting others' bodies, asking permission and identifying trusted adults.
A child repeatedly becomes aggressive after being told “no.” What are four things that should be examined to understand the behavior?
Answer: The trigger, his thoughts and feelings, the behavior itself and what happens immediately afterward.
What would healing look like in 1 year?
Fewer impulsive choices
Improved boundaries
Emotional regulation
Safe relationships
Graduation plan
Structured activities