The impact of trauma on the child

Designed for professionals who work with children, this course describes the prevalence of interpersonal trauma and child maltreatment in Australia and its effects on children and their families. It describes the key understandings, positions and practices of a trauma-informed approach for practice with children and families. This course briefly describes therapeutic approaches to children, but these approaches are more specifically explored in the two practice courses:

• Supporting children who have experienced trauma
• Supporting children who disclose trauma

As you progress through this course, you will work towards being able to:

• describe what is meant by interpersonal trauma
• explain the potential impact of trauma and adversity on children
• recognise children’s responses to trauma
• explain ways that children and families can recover from trauma
• describe key principles and practices of trauma-informed practice
• recognise the importance of a trauma-informed approach when supporting children.

It is estimated that this course will take you approximately 90 minutes to complete, including reading the material, watching the videos and completing the reflective activities.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be bookmarked and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

This is a foundation course for all of Emerging Minds’ online courses and will provide you with key understandings to support your engagement in any of the areas that you choose to pursue using Emerging Minds’ resources.

This course features animations of a fictional scenario with a child. As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed:

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it is a good idea to take one anyway and come back later.
• Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course, and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy.
• Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course.

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or SANE Australia on 1800 187 263.

For the purpose of this course, trauma refers to the interpersonal (or relational) trauma that children experience, most commonly including child abuse (physical, emotional or sexual), control, coercion, threats or fear. It also includes trauma that children experience through witnessing adult control or violence, or in situations where their safety is undermined by continued neglect.¹

The term parent encompasses the biological and adoptive parents of a child as well as individuals who have chosen to take up a primary or shared responsibility in raising that child.

Social and emotional wellbeing refers to the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and others. Social and emotional wellbeing incorporates behavioural and emotional strengths. It’s integral to child development.²

In broad terms, social and emotional wellbeing is the foundation for physical and mental health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a holistic concept which results from a network of relationships between individuals, family, kin and Community. It also recognises the importance of connection to Land, culture, spirituality and ancestry, and how these affect the individual.³

‘Social and emotional wellbeing’ is also used by some people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, who may have differing concepts of mental health and mental illness.⁴

Social and emotional development involves the development of skills required to:

• identify and understand one’s feelings
• read and understand the emotional states of other people
• manage strong emotions and how they are expressed
• regulate behaviour
• develop empathy
• establish and maintain relationships.⁵

Watch the following video (2 minutes, 7 seconds) for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.