Opinion: Bringing trauma-informed care to children in need can ease toxic stress
Bringing trauma-informed treatment to children suffering psychological trauma, rather than sending them elsewhere for it, can ease damaging toxic stress.
During my 22 years as a pediatrician in an urban area, I have seen the worst of what America’s children must sometimes endure. Severe medical illness in children is thankfully rare. But severe adversity in homes and communities is all too common and causes toxic stress that has long-term consequences for my patients and future generations.
A 6-year-old patient of mine called 911 on the third day that she and her younger siblings couldn’t wake their intoxicated mother. We cared for their physical needs by administering medications and intravenous fluids. The Department of Human Services cared for their safety by placing
