Mental Health In Children with Disabilities

Trauma is a natural response to a perceived or actual threat. A therapist dives into the varying levels of trauma tolerance, and how big and little traumas can appear in children across differing developmental stages in unique ways.

Validating your child’s feelings makes them feel heard and understood. It will never be perfect, but there is always room to rectify the situation and show your child how to recognize and correct mistakes.

The fight or flight response occurs within the sympathetic nervous system. With this 4-7-8 breathing exercise, we can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the relaxation response in our body.

Stress and heightened anxiety activate the amygdala in the limbic system, the fight-or-flight area of the brain. Sometimes this means kids run away (flight) or shut down (freeze), or they can push back or become agitated (fight). Here's how to help prevent the fight-or-flight response.

Parents can be overwhelmed when trying to answer their children's questions about tough topics. Here are the things to keep in mind when talking to kids about things that are difficult or adverse.

Emotional Disturbance (ED) is a broad category signifying mental health needs. The following may be considered ED or OHI (Other Health Impairment): Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia. This may make a child eligible for an IEP.