How to Position Your Child with Trauma to College Success
With the right support and assistance in healing, the consequences of trauma/adversity in childhood can create a lifetime impact. The reason is that mere exposure to adverse childhood event (ACE) increases a person risk to developing physical and mental health conditions and poor educational performance, thereby, making their consequences long lasting by waging on into college and beyond years into adulthood and beyond in college and beyond adult life years
The question then becomes, “how can I set my child up for success?”
The Problem at Hand
To know the answer to this question, we first need to consider what issues your child with trauma may face while at college. According to one study, students who have experienced a high level of adversity in childhood may feel they have lower levels of social support (e.g. someone to confide in, ask for advice, or go to for emotional support.
Another viable research field demonstrates how ACEs can have lasting effects, both physical and psychiatric, throughout a person-s lifespan.
When the individual lacks these positive types of relationships, then there exists an elevated risk of such a person being exposed to depression and anxiety, particularly when the student is attending college in a different town or state further frustrating their access into the home and their former support network.
The reason why this is important is because of an increase in shoplifting and other situations where theft happens in an open manner where the police or at least the investigating cop is aware of the theft.
We are aware that there is no time more appropriate than the present to prioritize mental health issues since such conditions have increased and more attention is being paid to these disorders. It is, however, significant to keep in mind that depression and anxiety have a negative impact on the academic performance that can subsequently worsen stress, anxiety, and depression. Such a cycle may cause a student to feel hopeless and to be at a greater risk of leaving school.
- What can I do to help my child to achieve success when they are in college?There are a few things you can do to help a traumatized child prepare to thrive in college..Explain the fears or stressors they may experience but also state that it is only normal to feel overwhelmed when it comes to dealing with such changes and novelty. It is also important to remember to give them a secure environment where they can express their own concerns without being judgemental and recognize their concerns.
- Communication: This is essential in keeping channels of communication open. Sit down and discuss with your child on what they might expect to see/experience when out of college
Fortify Their Support Network: Work towards fortifying and re-enforcing their existing support network. Remind them that when they are in a pinch or when they need your wisdom they can call you on the phone. Also assist them in locating the means to build and expand a local support network. As an example, assist them in getting the contact information or address of the on-campus counseling center, or identify an off-campus counselor who specializes in trauma and pre-register them as a patient before they leave home to attend college. Also, encourage them to form bonds with credible faculty members that they can rely on when things go wrong - Coping Mechanisms: Help them identify triggers plus learn and develop healthy techniques for teens or adults to self-regulate and cope.Not only will this aid your child in calming down during the times that makes them anxious, but it will also help them in being able to concentrate more effectively on learning material in front of them. Some of the practices or strategies in this area may be the use of deep breathing, mindfulness, writing on a journal and even physical exercise.Vist Campus: Make a visit to the campus with them prior to the college start to get them oriented with the campus environment. This may assist in minimizing phobia
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- This visit will provide you with a chance to meet with college administrators and discuss with them the assistance your child may need and pre-plan it.
Key TakeawaysNote that not all children who experience trauma are alike
