THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

IN INFANCY Sasha Kellogg

Lee Honors College Thesis Defense

Western Michigan University

June 9, 2014

TRAUMA STATISTICS

• 40% of all children in the United States will experience trauma before 18

• 46 million children experience trauma on in a year.

• 686,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect

• 3.8 million children received preventive services by CPS

• Over 1,600 children died in 2012 as a result of maltreatment

NEURODEVELOPMENT

• Continuous process that is ongoing

• 100 billion neurons

• Ten times as many glial cells

• Linked together by synapses

EIGHT MAJOR PROCESSES OF NEURODEVELOPMENT

• Neurogenesis: birth of neurons

• Migration: movement of neurons into final resting place

• Differentiation of neurons: specialization take place

• Apoptosis: dying off of neurons

• Arborization: formation of dendrites

• Synaptogenesis: creation of synapses

• Synaptic sculpting: building blocks of memory

• Myelination: faster communication

FOUR MAIN AREAS OF THE BRAIN

• Four main areas of the brain

• Brainstem

• Midbrain

• Limbic system

• Cortex

• Tiered fashion

• Bottom to top

• Inside to out

CORE FACTORS OF NEURODEVELOPMENT

• Genetic and environmental Influences

• Sequential development

• Activity dependent

• Windows of opportunity and windows of vulnerability

WHAT IS TRAUMA?

• Trauma is defined as experiences that cause severe mental or emotional stress; an overwhelming threat

• Types of trauma

• Natural disasters

• War

• Accidents

• Abuse

• Neglect

• Domestic violence

• Death of loved ones

• Bullying

• Illnesses

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN TRAUMA IS EXPERIENCED?

• Affects a key set of neural system

• Affects learning

• Affects behavior

• Affects body

• Affect brain development

• Affects attachment

• Affects social emotion

• Affects automatic nervous system

WAR AND MILITARY TRAUMA

• Issues

• Separation

• Deployment

• Death

• Statistics

• 2 million killed

• 6 million injured

• 1 million orphaned

• 25 million were uprooted

• Characteristics

• Anxious

• Highly alert

• Sleep deprivation

• Effects

• Regression of social, emotional, and daily living domains

• Stimuli may frighten them

• Signs of Distress

• Fear/anxiety

• Confusion

• Regression

• Loss of appetite

• Mood swings

MALTREATMENT TRAUMA

• General Statistics (Department of Human Services, 2012)

• 685,000 children are victims of maltreatment

• 86,000 were infants

• 1,640 were fatal

• 44% of deaths were infant

• Types of Maltreatment

• medical neglect

• Neglect

• psychological abuse

• sexual abuse

• physical abuse

• Other

SHAKING BABY SYNDROME

• 1,400 infants are shaken years

• 1 in 4 will die as a result of injures

• Effects of SBS

• Swelling & Bleeding on the brain

• Retinal tearing

• Skull Fractures

• Lasting effects

• permanent brain issues

• Paralysis

• Blindness

• seizures,

• cerebral palsy

• delays in development

• cognitive difficulties,

• behavior issues

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Domestic Violence

• Higher Risk of Maltreatment

• Domestic Violence Exposure

• First 6 months- indication of neglect

• Parents Availability affects attachment.

• Linked to aggression and violence later in life

Substance Abuse

• Higher Risk of Maltreatment

• Exposure to Substance abuse

• FAS

• Lower IQ scores

• Severe issues with neurodevelopment

INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILDREN

• Smaller brain size

• Reduced IQ scores

• Social-Emotional Delays

COMPLEX TRAUMA

• Multiple traumatic experiences with different types of trauma

• Exposed to domestic violence → experiences child neglect due to parent unemotionally available → parents abuse alcohol → experiences child abuse from perpetrator of domestic violence → mother is murdered at hands of father and child witnesses it → child goes to live with grandparents → grandparents have a hard time handling child due to tantrums and nightmares → child goes into foster care……

• On average a child at the WMU Child Trauma Center who is being assessed has experienced 7 types of trauma before they are seen for treatment

COMPLEX TRAUMA

• Cumulative

• Over a period of time

• Within specific relationships

• Exposure to chronic trauma

• Multiple interpersonal traumatic events

EFFECTS OF COMPLEX TRAUMA

• Affects attachment

• Affects relationships

• Affects regulation

• Affects social behaviors

• Affects brain development

• Affects senses

• Affects the ability to learn

• Affect brain size

TRAUMA INFORMED

• Being trauma informed is crucial to the success of being able to help children/families who have experienced trauma

• Three Pillars of trauma informed care

• Connections

• Emotion and Impulse Control

• Adults co-regulate

• Active Listening

• Reflective skills

• Development of Safety

• Physical and emotions

ATTACHMENT

• All trauma experiences impact attachment

• Attachment is vital to the success of children in life

• Trust

• Interaction

• Regulate emotions

• Disorganized attachment

• Risks of Attachment Issues

• Physical ailments

• More prone to stress

• Feelings associated

• Unloved

• Abandonment

• Failure

DOMAINS OF COMPLEX TRAUMA

• Attachment

• Inability to form connections due to lack of caregiver support

• Unable to see when a relationship is safe

• Biology

• Muscle Tone

• Balance

• Sensory issues

• Affect Regulation

• Labeling feelings

• Self-regulation

• Internalize stress

• Dissociation

• Memory loss

• Altered states of consciousness

• depersonalization

• Behavior Control

• Under controlled

• Impulsivity

• Aggression

• Understanding and Complying with rules

• Over controlled

• Comply easily

• Self-soothing behaviors

• Cognition

• Ability to pay attention

• Learning difficulties

• Process information

• Self-Concept

• Sense of Self

• Self worth

• Negative body image

FOUR MAIN AREAS OF THE BRAIN

• Four Main Areas of the Brain

• Brainstem

• Midbrain

• Limbic system

• Cortex

• Tiered Fashion

• Bottom to top

• Inside to out

UNCERTAINTY

There is much uncertainty for every one involved when trauma is experienced

• For those working with the children

• Age of children

• Living situation

• Other agencies involved

• Behaviors of children

• For children

• Type of trauma was experienced and how often.

• What stage of development was the child in when the trauma occurred

• Family dynamics

SUPPORTING FAMILIES

• Meet families where they are

• Watch stereotypes and biases

• How to help children

• Relationships!!!

• Peter

• Therapy

• Traumatic play (nonverbal play for infants)

• Education

“TRAUMA TRUMPS EVERYTHING” Sandra Bloom

REFERENCES

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