Trauma-Informed Clinical Care from Childhood to Adolescence

Speech and language pathologists are frequently the first clinicians to see children at risk for complex trauma. Children between birth and age five are more likely to experience abuse and neglect, and more frequently die from their injuries. Moreover, those with disabilities are three times more likely to experience maltreatment. Unfortunately, we often don’t know if a child on our caseload has a history of maltreatment resulting in trauma. Therefore, it is essential that we use a trauma-informed approach to our practice, and that we shift our thinking about the behaviors of all our patients, clients, and students. This course furthers participants’ understanding of the principles of trauma-informed care and the neurobiological impacts of exposure to trauma across the lifespan. This course will focus on the effects of exposure to trauma, including abuse and neglect, on language development, and executive functioning. It will also include culturally responsive practices with regard to evaluation and treatment. The impact on early brain development will be discussed, as well as the importance of early intervention to prevent increasing difficulties over time with the shift into adolescence. With the shift in adolescence, this course will also touch upon the effects abuse and neglect have on cognitive and linguistic skills that impact social justice issues, specifically juvenile justice.