neuropsychological assessments of students with complex trauma

81 Pages·2016·0.99 MB·English

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS
OF STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX TRAUMA;
HELPING DEVELOPING BRAINS
GET BACK ON TRACK
MAKING A DIFFERENE: FIFTH ANNUAL SURROGATE PARENT CONFERENCE,
FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
NOVEMBER 15, 2016
STEPHANIE MONAGHAN-BLOUT, PSY.D. PEDIATRIC NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST, NESCA
THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION:
CHILDREN IN INSTITUTIONAL CARE
• US children in foster care 2015 has reached 427,910

• From peak of 524,000 in 2002

• Lowest number of 397,000 in 2012
• -Associated Press, 10/27/16
THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION: CHILDREN
Number of children adopted through public welfare
system and number of Massachusetts children adopted
through this system
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
52,891 50,875 52,035 50,608 50,644
726 724 754 799 589
OUTLINE
-Trauma and the Developing Brain
-Developmental Trauma and FASD: Developing a
Blueprint for Understanding
-Neuropsychological and Psychological Testing
TRAUMA AND THE DEVELOPING BRAIN
TRAUMA
• “Psychological trauma is an affliction of the powerless. At the
moment of trauma, the victim is rendered helpless by overwhelming
force. When that force is of nature, we think of disasters. When that
force is that of other human beings, we speak of atrocities. Traumatic
events overwhelm the ordinary systems of care that give people a
sense of control, connection, and meaning”.
• -Judith Herman, M.D. (1992) Trauma and Recovery
WHAT CONSTITUTES TRAUMA

1. Witnessing domestic violence or community violence
2. Abuse: physical, sexual, or psychological, especially that
occurring within the context of relationship
3. Neglect of physical, social, or emotional needs
WHAT CONSTITUTES TRAUMA:
NOT SO SIMPLE
• Neglect, abuse, and witnessing violence often co-occur
• Some children are more vulnerable due to prenatal factors
( exposure to drugs, malnutrition, maternal stress)
• Children are also exposed to secondary impacts such as
maternal depression or physical injuries
DIFFERENTIAL IMPACT OF TRAUMA:
WHY KIDS ARE SO VULNERABLE

Developmental Vulnerability
- Helplessness of young children: what is
life-threatening to young children is not the
same as for adults
-Trauma to growing brains alters the
trajectory of development
TWO KEY FACTORS MITIGATING IMPACT OF
TRAUMA
Resiliency related to:
• Psychosocial support, including the caregiver’s
response to the traumatized child
• Child’s sense of mastery