Know the Signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children occurs when a child has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event and develops lasting emotional and psychological symptoms. These events might include abuse, neglect, natural disasters, accidents, or exposure to violence, among others. PTSD in children can manifest in ways that differ from adults, and understanding these symptoms is critical for early intervention.
What are the signs of PTSD in children
- Complaints of feeling sick to their stomach
- Sleep disruptions, including too much or too little
- Aggressive behaviors towards people, animals, and/or toys
- Acting younger than their age, such as bedwetting, thumb sucking, wanting to be fed
- Complaints of headaches
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and things they used to enjoy.
- Difficulty focusing, feeling nervous, jittery, or alert
How to help your child?
- Be supportive and understanding
- Get counseling: (check out PerformCare & AKLG services listed on this page)
- Talk to your child’s health care provider
- Reach out to your child’s school
- Learn more about PTSD. please visit:
DID YOU KNOW?
ARE YOU CARING FOR A CHILD/GRANDCHILD WHO HAS A BEHAVIORAL ISSUE, DEVELOPMENTAL OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND/OR NEEDS SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICES?
CONSIDER CONTACTING PERFORMCARE:
PERFORMCARE HELPS FAMILIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY BY OFFERING SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE CHILDREN SUCH AS:
- IN–HOME THERAPY
- FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
- BEHAVIORAL SUPPORTS
- MOBILE RESPONSE
- CARE MANAGEMENT
- OUT–OF-HOME TREATMENT
- SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANCE AND MORE
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Adoption and Kinship Legal Guardianship (AKLG) Clinical Services
Free treatment is available for pre- and post-adoptive and kinship families with children 20 years old and younger who live in New Jersey and were placed through New Jersey’s Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) agency.
The goals of AKLG Clinical Services are for children to gain relationship experience to grow and heal emotionally and for families to build stronger relationships with increased feelings of attachment, trust, and safety.
Therapists are trained in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, an attachment-focused treatment for families with kinship, foster or adopted children. This therapy emphasizes families working together with the therapist to help their children who experienced neglect, abuse and trauma while with their birth families. Weekly sessions will take place in your home.
For more information please contact the program coordinator at 551-224-2711 or email AKLGprogram@cafsnj.org.