Resources Focus on How to Support Children with Traumatic Separation
Traumatic separation, according to the Child Mind Institute, is a clinical concept based on the importance of the caregiver- or parent-child bond and the profound effects that can result from breaking it.
Whether it’s a young child whose father disappears without warning, one whose caregiver is detained and deported, or a young person who is placed in foster care, separation from a parent or caregiver can be traumatic for a child.
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The element that makes a separation harmful is not necessarily its length, but its character - ones that are sudden or confusing or those that come about through large-scale distressing events, such as a war or natural disaster.
In its latest set of resources, the Child Mind Institute has provided an article about how traumatic separation affects children of all ages and how the right support can prevent long-lasting negative effects and help them to recover. Another piece focuses on separation anxiety and other effects on children, such as difficulty paying attention, acting out, or regression.
The resources also feature information on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), advice for military families on how to help children feel secure and connected when parents are deployed, and a discussion of how serious stress can affect child development and why it’s important to help them learn coping strategies and build resilience.
The resources include: