ABSTRACT
This extensive section is intended to be read by or with the child. It provides frank, practical, easily understood information about trauma and the aftermath, as well as general coping skills that help a person “calm down,” “connect,” and “conquer” trauma. The chapters include sensitive material about (1) the freak-out, freeze, flight, fight response; (2) what is meant by post-traumatic stress; (3) the impact of stress on children, (4) basic neurobiology, i.e., the “why” of the reactions; (5) and how to get better. The chapters in this section offer many examples and opportunities for children to identify with and describe their own trauma reactions. There is also information about how adults respond to children during the stress reactions (referred to as a chain reaction) and what sorts of things might help.
