Substance abuse, or substance use disorder, is what mental health providers diagnose when people use drugs, alcohol, or other chemical substances in ways that aren’t healthy. Substance abuse is diagnosed when people keep using the drug or substance, even though it causes them problems in their lives. Usually we notice that they start to have problems controlling how much of the drug they use, having issues in their relationships, doing things that are risky or not safe, and also can have changes in their brain because of the drug (for example, people start to use more of it or have physical symptoms when they don’t use it). There are a few different things that can be diagnosed in the substance use category:
Substance Use Disorder: this is diagnosed when someone uses a certain drug over a long period of time. They might:
Use too much of it
Try to stop using and then start again
Have cravings (really wanting the drug when you’re not using it)
Use the drug even when it is dangerous
Have problems in their everyday lives because they are using it too much.
A substance use disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe – and this is determined by how many symptoms someone has.
Substance Intoxication: this is diagnosed when someone has recently used a drug and it is still affecting their body and brain. For example, with alcohol, this describes when someone is drunk. A provider might diagnose this if someone comes in for treatment and it is clear they aren’t functioning normally because they are using drugs (for example, if you took your child to the emergency room and the doctors saw that they had been using drugs, they might use this term).
Substance Withdrawal: this is diagnosed after someone stops using a drug, but they are still having symptoms in their body that are happening because they stopped using it. Withdrawal symptoms are different depending on what drug people were using, how much they were using, and how long they were using it for. Sometimes substance withdrawal can make people’s hearts beat really fast, they can shake, they can have a hard time sleeping, they might feel sick and throw up, or they could even see and hear things that aren’t there. Withdrawal from some drugs can be very severe and cause a lot of medical problems, because people’s bodies get used to taking the drug and have a hard time getting used to it when they stop. If your child has been using a drug and they want to stop, it’s always a good idea to talk to their provider to see if there are any serious withdrawal symptoms they might experience. Sometimes providers can give other medications or medical support to help people when they are having withdrawal symptoms.
Substance-Induced Mental Disorder: this is diagnosed when someone has symptoms of another mental health disorder (like psychosis, depression, bipolar, or anxiety) and these symptoms started because they were using a drug or other substance. The symptoms of substance-induced depression, for example, can look pretty much the same as regular depression, but the difference is that substance-induced depression usually gets better after someone stops taking the drug and withdrawal symptoms end, while regular depression doesn’t. When providers diagnose a substance-induced mental disorder, it’s really important for them to understand when symptoms started, what makes them worse, and how your child feels when they are not using drugs. This is important because you treat substance-induced mental disorders differently than other mental disorders: usually, by having people stop using the drug or substance.
The diagnosis your child is given will usually include the name of the drug (or type of drug) they are using that causes them problems. It’s possible to have more than one substance use diagnosis – for example, you could be experiencing alcohol withdrawal and also have cannabis use disorder. There are lots of different kinds of drugs and they all affect kids’ bodies and brains differently, so it’s important to understand what your child is using, how much they are using, how long they have been using it, and if they are using multiple different kinds of drugs. There are also some kinds of drugs that are legal and others that are not. It’s more common for adults to drink alcohol, smoke or ingest marijuana, and consume caffeine – but even though these things are legal at a certain age, they can all cause problems for people who use them too much. It’s important to talk to your child early and often about all of these things and how they impact our bodies and brains. And remember – drugs and substances can hurt kids’ brains much more than adults even if they aren’t using very much, because kids’ brains are still growing and developing.
There are other things that kids can be addicted to that are not drugs. Right now, the only one most providers diagnose is gambling problems (when people have trouble with gambling or betting money that causes them problems in their daily lives). However, there are other things that kids can use too much and have problems with that aren’t diagnosed, but that can still be important to talk about in treatment. One of these is technology and social media use, which scientists tell us can cause a lot of problems for kids and can actually change the way their brains work and think about kids.
If you think your child may struggle with technology and social media use, read more about our guidelines and treatment recommendations here.
Sometimes adults use substances such as alcohol occasionally but aren’t addicted. However, because the brains of kids and teenagers are still developing (and because most drugs and substances aren’t legal for them to use), it’s important for kids and parents to be extra careful with the use of substances, because it can impact their brains more than adults. It can be easier for their brains to get used to drugs and start to crave them, and they may have more difficulty with paying attention, solving problems, or remembering things once they have started using drugs.
Kids who are struggling a lot with using drugs, alcohol, or other substances might have other symptoms such as:
Hiding alcohol or drugs in their rooms or other places where they know they can find it but their parents won’t
Seeming more angry than usual or getting upset with other people easily
Grades in school suddenly get worse or kids start to skip classes or other activities they enjoy
Spending more and more time with friends who are also using alcohol or drugs
Suddenly losing weight or not being hungry
Being more tired than usual and wanting to sleep more
Asking for money or stealing money
Lying to caregivers
Marks on arms or legs, or wearing long sleeves in warm weather (if they are injecting drugs)
Seeming sick or having other physical symptoms that don’t make sense
Breaking other rules at home and at school
Certain drugs and methods of using drugs are much more risky for kids than others. Obviously if kids are using more drugs at a time or using drugs more often than they used to, providers get concerned. Other risky behaviors to watch for are:
Abusing prescription drugs (taking drugs that a doctor prescribed but taking too many of them or continuing to take them for too long)
Using drugs that affect the brain and body more intensely (like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, or ecstasy)
Injecting drugs into the body. Injecting drugs is when people use a needle to put a drug into their body rather than swallowing or breathing it. This can be really serious both because it puts a lot of drugs directly into their blood, and because using needles in an unsafe way can put kids at risk for getting other sicknesses that are transferred through blood.
Substance abuse is not caused by just one thing – there are a few factors that can make it more likely that a child or teenager will develop this kind of disorder.
Genetics & personality: Kids with a parent, grandparent, or sibling who struggles with substance abuse are more likely to have similar problems. This can also be true for kids with a parent, grandparent, or sibling who has another mental health disorder – it can make it more likely that they will use drugs or substances in the future. However, family support is a protective factor against substance use: this means that the more connected & supportive your family is, the less likely your child will have serious problems with substance use. So if you know these problems are common in your family, one of the best things you can do for your child is to work on your relationship with them and help them feel safe and supported at home.
Environment: there are some things that can happen to kids that make it more likely they’ll have a substance use disorder, or make it more likely that their symptoms will be more severe. Experiencing a lot of stress or trauma early on can make it more likely that kids will use drugs or substances to deal with difficult emotions they have. Being in environments with other people who use alcohol, drugs, or other substances can also normalize these things for kids – meaning that they start to think about the use of drugs as a normal part of life, and they also are likely to know where to find drugs if they want to try it themselves. The age kids start using alcohol or drugs is also important and can impact their symptoms – because their brain isn’t fully developed and younger kids struggle more with self-control, kids who start using drugs younger are more likely to develop substance use disorder because their brains are more sensitive to the effects of the drug and not developed enough yet to tell them when it’s time to stop.
Smoking cigarettes is less common now, but many kids vape or use e-cigarettes instead. Vaping is when kids breathe in a mist that is made by an e-cigarettes or vape pen. It usually has nicotine (the same chemical that is in regular cigarettes) and sometimes contains marijuana too. Often, vape and e-cigarette products actually have more chemicals in them and are stronger than regular cigarettes, so they can be really bad for kids and really addictive (meaning that many kids will have a hard time stopping once they start vaping).
One problem with vaping is that the flavors of the mist taste better, so kids and teenagers like them more than regular cigarettes. They come in flavors like cotton candy and bubble gum, so if you notice odd smells like this in your home, this could be a sign to ask your child about vaping.
Really anyone can be affected by substance abuse. It’s pretty common for people to experiment with alcohol or drugs at some point in their life, but not all of these people have abused drugs or have a problem with addiction. People who start using alcohol and drugs at a younger age are more likely to have a substance use disorder later on. The CDC estimates that about 15% of high schoolers have tried illicit or injection drugs at some point. You can read more statistics on youth substance abuse from the CDC here.
There are a lot of things that you can do to help your child who struggles with substance use – and you’re already taking a big step by learning more! Many kids & parents see a lot of improvement with the right support. Here are some resources/treatments that scientists have found to help with substance use difficulties:
INITIAL ASSESSMENT: the first step to substance use treatment is a good assessment to learn how severe your child’s substance use problem is and figure out how to best help them. This is usually called an interview, clinical interview, assessment, or intake. This is part of any kind of mental health treatment but it’s especially important for substance use, because we need to understand how serious the problem is to know how to best treat it. A provider may ask your child to fill out some questionnaires and will ask them a lot of questions about how much they are using, how often they are using, and what type(s) of drugs they have tried. If they are seeing a doctor or nurse in a medical setting (like a hospital or clinic), the provider may even run blood or urine tests to see what drugs are in their body and understand how much they have been using. This first meeting with a provider will help determine what type of help your child needs, and where they should go to get it.
PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS: if your provider thinks it’s safe for your child to live at home while they’re getting treatment for substance abuse (this is called outpatient treatment), they will probably participate in therapy. This can be done individually, in groups, or a combination of both. Psychosocial therapies for substance use have different names (like multicomponent therapy), but basically mean that they are treating both the child’s mental health problems (that’s the “psychological” part of the word) and the things in their environment that are contributing to their problems (that’s the “social” part). For kids and teenagers, families are usually involved in treatment too.
INPATIENT TREATMENT: inpatient treatment is what it is called when a provider thinks it is safest for your child to get help while living in a treatment facility for a certain amount of time. This can happen for substance use disorders for a few reasons. One reason is that if your child has been using really harmful substances or using a lot of drugs and alcohol, they might need a provider to watch and help them for a while as they are detoxing, or withdrawing, from taking the drug. Providers might give medication to help with the symptoms they have during withdrawal. Another reason is that staying at an inpatient treatment center can help your child heal without being around the people or places they usually go to when they are using drugs. It can be hard to stop using when you are still around other people who are, so staying in an inpatient treatment center helps kids get out of their usual environments and break the patterns that have contributed to their substance use. Usually caregivers and families can still visit their children while they are living at the treatment center, and you will probably still be involved in family therapy in this type of treatment as well. Inpatient treatment can seem scary, but know that your child is getting care from a whole team of providers all day, every day. It can provide a lot of support and take the burden off you as a caregiver to do it all alone.
Trauma and stress related disorders are symptoms that kids can have after something scary, stressful, or traumatic happens to them. Explore the questions below to learn how to recognize the signs, understand what causes it, and discover effective treatment options.
Understanding Trauma and Stress
Trauma and stress related disorders happen when kids start to think, feel, or act differently after something scary, stressful, or traumatic happens to them. A traumatic event is something that happens to kids that makes them scared for their safety or someone else’s (like a natural disaster, being physically attacked, or seeing someone die). A stressful event is something that upsets kids and makes them worry but is not life-threatening (like moving to a new house or school, having trouble making friends, or parents getting divorced). There are a few types of trauma and stress related disorders:
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Reactive attachment disorder: kids have a hard time connecting with caregivers after trauma.
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Disinhibited social engagement disorder: kids act too connected with adults they don’t know after trauma.
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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): kids experience something traumatic and have memories or dreams of it afterwards, avoid things that remind them of it, start to act differently, and feel bad about themselves or others.
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Acute stress disorder: kids experience something traumatic and can have some of the same symptoms as PTSD, but the symptoms last for less than one month.
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Adjustment disorder: kids experience something stressful and feel or act differently because of this stress.
These diagnoses can cause problems for kids at home, in school, and in their social lives. As a parent, it’s important to be alert if you know your child has experienced something scary, stressful, or traumatic. Acting differently or feeling sad or worried for a few days is normal and happens to most kids. But if something bad happens and your child feels this way for weeks or months, or if your child reacts more strongly than you would expect them to, this could be a sign of something more serious. The good news is, lots of kids are very resilient and heal from trauma with the right therapy and support – and you’re already on the right path to support them by learning more!
Getting support for trauma and stress related symptoms starts with knowing what to ask for. Use the questions below to find out how to get help, talk with providers, and access the tools your child may need.
There are a few ways to get diagnosed with a trauma or stressor related disorder. Here is how you can get started:
Ask a mental health professional. Therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists can help assess your child to see if they have experienced something traumatic or stressful, and if there are changes in their thoughts, feelings, and actions because of the trauma or stress. Most mental health professionals know how to diagnose trauma and ask questions about it, but not all of them are specially trained in trauma-treatment. Ask your provider if they are trained in trauma treatment with children, and refer to the treatment components listed below to see what they can offer.
Click here to find a provider.
Work with your child’s school. Kids who have experienced trauma and stress often have a really hard time focusing in school because their brain is worried and focused on helping them survive the stress or trauma. If you’re worried about your child falling behind in school or if they seem to need more support, you can request an evaluation for accommodations at school (these are usually called IEP’s or 504 plans). It usually takes a bit of time to get an IEP or 504 plan in place for your child, so if they are really struggling and need some support right after something traumatic or stressful happens, see if your school is able to offer less formal supports right away (like letting them miss some classes, have a more flexible schedule, or offer a quiet place to take breaks if needed).
Click here on how to talk to your child’s school.
Reach out to your community. If something traumatic or stressful has happened in your community (such as a natural disaster or community tragedy), it’s common for organizations to come in temporarily and offer extra support. If this applies to you or your child, ask others (neighbors, teachers, friends, school counselors, government officials) what support is available and how you can access it. Organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, as well as local, community based agencies, commonly offer help after disasters that includes both access to resources like food and water, as well as emotional support and people to talk to. There is also a Disaster Distress Helpline run by SAMHSA that you can call at 1-800-985-5990 to talk to a trained counselor if you or your child have been involved in a disaster.
Coping skills
Coping skills are an important part of treatment for trauma. They help kids manage big and overwhelming thoughts and feelings better. Some coping skills are cognitive, which means they specifically focus on the way kids think. Cognitive coping skills are things like talking positively about yourself, trying to change negative thoughts that aren’t true and replace them with more accurate ones, and finding solutions to problems. Some coping skills focus more on the physical or emotional symptoms too. These can be things like deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation skills. Usually, providers will teach kids the basics of these coping skills and then kids will practice them with caregivers at home to learn how to use them in their daily lives. Coping skills are an important part of treatment for trauma and stress because big feelings and scary thoughts are pretty much always a part of trauma and stress, so it’s important for kids to learn how to work through these thoughts and feelings in order to move forward.
Gradual exposure
Trauma and stress are big and scary things for kids, and it’s natural to want to avoid thinking about them. But scientists tell us that when we try not to think about something, we usually end up being more scared and worried about it, and then we avoid thinking about it even more. An important part of trauma treatment is learning how to talk about what happened, because in the long run, this helps kids feel less scared and overwhelmed. It’s also important to do this gradually, or slowly, and make sure kids have coping skills they can use first so that when they do start talking about their trauma, it doesn’t feel so scary and overwhelming. Ask your provider how they use gradual exposure in treatment (this is particularly common in therapies like TF-CBT and EMDR) and how you can support your child in this process as their caregiver. Sometimes, part of gradual exposure is having a child and their therapist share about their traumatic experience with you, their caregiver. This can be hard for caregivers too, so it’s important for you to learn coping skills alongside your child so you’re ready when they are!
Future safety & goal-setting
Kids who have already experienced trauma or stress can be more likely to have a similar experience again, so another part of treatment is teaching them how to stay safe and how to deal with situations that can be scary or dangerous. When trauma comes from being hurt by other people, it’s important to remember, and to remind your child, that it is never their fault. Even if they made choices that weren’t safe, the responsibility always lies with the person who harmed them. Trauma also changes how a child’s brain thinks about safety, trust, and making decisions, so some of the things they do after trauma might look different or risky. This is because their brain has changed because of what they’ve been through. As they heal, caregivers can support them in building new coping skills, learning how to set boundaries, finding safe people, and asking for help when something doesn’t feel right or safe. These conversations usually happen later in treatment, once your child has more tools to help them and feels ready to talk about their trauma with some support from their care team.
Advocating
for Help
Getting the right support for your child who has experienced something stressful or traumatic can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. This section guides you through how to start the conversation with professionals, understand what a thorough assessment looks like, and recognize key treatment components that make a difference. You’ll also find practical tips for working with your child’s school to secure accommodations and how to find the right providers to support your family’s unique needs. We’re here to help you confidently advocate for the care your child deserves.
Progress
Over Time
Once your child has been diagnosed and is getting treatment, there are still more ways you can support them – and yourself. Here are some next steps to consider:
Read helpful books and seek out resources.
”Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal” by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
“Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes” by Peter Levine, Ph.D. and Maggie Kline
Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: A Parents’ Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy, and Resilience” by Peter Levine, Ph.D. and Maggie Kline
“Parenting Traumatized Children with Developmental Differences” by Dr. Sara McLean
“Healing the Heart – Helping Your Child Thrive After Trauma” by Christine Fonseca
Join a parent support group or online community. It’s hard to parent a child who has experienced trauma or significant stress, and many caregivers struggle to know how to support their child and to manage their own feelings about what is going on. Connecting with other caregivers who get it can make all the difference.
Groups like the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offer both resources and a sense of community.
Seek out your own therapy if you need it. Sometimes caregivers and kids experience the same trauma and stress, and it’s hard for caregivers to help their children work through it when they are also struggling. If some of the symptoms listed on this page feel familiar to you, it might be a good idea to look for a provider who can give you some support and coping skills too. This will help you feel better prepared to walk with your child on their journey.
It’s hard to see your child struggling, especially when it feels like things are getting more intense, not better. You’re not alone—and there are steps you can take to get support and stabilize things.
Safety first. When kids have experienced trauma and stress, it’s important for them to learn to feel safe again. There are a few ways parents can help with this, and the first one is making sure they are not experiencing any ongoing trauma. If your child was being hurt or abused by someone, make sure they have no contact with that person (you can contact your local law enforcement agency or call Child Protective Services if you need support with this). Once you are sure they are physically safe and no longer experiencing trauma or stress, focus on meeting their basic needs, being consistent with a schedule if you can, and being available if they need to talk.
Follow up with your child’s provider. Let them know what’s changed. Sometimes therapy needs to be more frequent or focused differently, or something needs to be changed in your child’s routines or environment. Be specific about what you’re seeing: more aggression, bigger meltdowns, school issues, more frequent outbursts, etc. This will help your provider to identify areas of change that might help your child.
Ask about crisis planning. Every family should have a plan for what to do if things get worse or if you or your child feel unsafe. This might include knowing who to call during a crisis (like a mobile crisis team or behavioral health urgent care), when to head to the ER, or how to calm things down safely at home. Your provider can help you build a plan that fits your family. For kids with trauma, it’s important to find a safe adult they can trust when they are struggling. This might be you as their caregiver, or it might be another adult who plays a supportive role in their life. Encourage your child to identify some safe adults in their life, and make sure you and your child have their phone numbers ready so you can reach out to them if you need to!
Think about timeline. If your child just experienced something traumatic a few days ago, it’s normal for their symptoms to change – they are still trying to figure out what’s going on and process everything. You might see them suddenly get better or worse early on, and it’s all normal – their brain is trying to make sense of what happened to them. As time goes on, you will probably see things even out and stabilize, and you and your child will have a better sense of what to expect. Offer support, monitor for safety, and get professional help if they are in crisis. If they are not in immediate danger but seem more sad or withdrawn, or don’t want to eat, or have trouble sleeping – that may be normal for right now. But you can always ask your provider if you have concerns.
Your child spends a big part of their day at school—so it’s important that their learning environment supports their needs. You don’t have to be an expert in education law to advocate for your child. Here’s how to get started:
Request a meeting with the school. If your child already has a 504 Plan or IEP, you can call a meeting anytime – not just during annual reviews. Share your concerns, ask for updates, and discuss if changes need to be made. If your child doesn’t have a plan yet, you can formally request an evaluation to see what supports they qualify for.
Bring data and observations. Schools respond best to clear examples. Keep track of patterns—like missed assignments, behavior changes, or stress around certain subjects. You can also ask your provider to write a summary of concerns or diagnoses to share.
Learn about your rights. Resources like Wrightslaw explain special education laws in parent-friendly language. Knowing your rights helps you feel more confident in meetings and ensures your child gets what they’re entitled to.
Explore tools from other parents. Understood.org and wapave.org is a great website full of free tools, templates, and stories from families navigating similar school challenges. It can help you figure out what to ask for and how to phrase it.
Consider getting extra help. A behavioral health consultant or educational advocate can go to meetings with you, help interpret school evaluations, and suggest goals that actually match your child’s needs. This kind of support can make a big difference—especially if meetings feel overwhelming or you’re not sure what to ask for.
This section offers a few extra tools to help you along the way. Whether things are going smoothly or getting more challenging, these resources can support you as your child grows and their needs change.
You’re doing great work. Just by showing up and staying engaged, you’re already well on the journey of supporting your child. This path isn’t always easy—it can feel like a long hike with ups, downs, and unexpected turns—but you’re not walking it alone. This section offers a few extra tools to carry with you as you go: ideas for building on the care your child is already receiving, support for when things feel like they’re getting harder, and guidance for working with your child’s school. Whether you're exploring advanced behavior strategies, needing help during a rough patch, or advocating for better support at school, these resources are here to help you keep moving forward. Every step counts—and you’re already making meaningful progress.
Caregiver Tool Kit
This section offers simple, practical tools to help you support your child—from building routines and healthy habits to improving communication and recognizing their strengths. It’s also a reminder that taking care of yourself is part of the plan—you’re not alone on this journey.
Routine & consistency. Most kids thrive on routine and consistency, and it’s especially important for kids who have experienced trauma and stress. Trauma can make kids very nervous and on edge, so sudden changes and unexpected events can be harder to manage. Traumatic events themselves are usually unexpected and out of the norm, so it can be really helpful for caregivers to stick to regular routines and be consistent in what they do and when they do it. Your child might not be ready to jump back into their regular routines and activities right away after a trauma, so it’s okay to relax things a little bit for a time, but usually after a short time it’s helpful for most people to get back into the things they normally do. This can really help kids heal and stay connected with the other things that are going on in their lives.
Continue to set rules and discipline gently. Sometimes parents feel guilty or scared to discipline their kids if they have been through something scary or stressful. But like routines, it’s important for kids to know that some things stay the same, even after something traumatic happens. And it’s also important for kids to learn that good and healthy rules can keep them safe. When your child is struggling, you might relax some specific rules a little bit to meet their needs in the moment, but it’s still okay to discipline your kids and provide gentle consequences if they’re acting out or doing things they know they shouldn’t. However, it might also be important to think about how you discipline your kids and if any changes need to be made (for example, if your child is scared to be alone after experiencing something traumatic, you might take a toy away when they act out instead of sending them to their room alone for a time out like you usually do).
Practice coping skills together. If your child goes to therapy, they will probably learn some coping skills (maybe deep breathing, different ways of thinking, positive ways of talking to themselves, or ways to relax their bodies). You can practice these skills together as a family to show them you’re on their team and invested in their healing too.
Parenting a child who has experienced trauma and stress is a big job. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s good for your child to learn that they can also ask others for help when they need it.
Be ready when they are. It’s hard to know whether to talk about or avoid the bad or scary thing that happened to your child. Either pushing to talk about it too soon or avoiding it for a long time can be difficult for your child, so it’s usually a good idea to follow their lead to figure out what will be most helpful for them. If your child mentions something about a traumatic event, try to respond as calmly as you can. Gently ask questions about what happened and if they change the topic, let it go. Do your best not to have a strong emotional reaction to it (this is hard for a lot of caregivers, and this is when your own coping skills come in!) because we know that the way people respond to kids talking about trauma makes a big difference in how they heal from it. If your child is talking about their trauma and you want to cry or yell or throw something, take a break and do what you need to do without them watching, then come back to the situation. Showing them that you can handle their feelings and thoughts teaches them to feel safe and to come to you again if something like this ever happens again.
Be realistic about what you can do. It’s important not to change your family’s life too much around your child’s thoughts and behaviors, but it’s also important to be realistic about you and your child’s capacity to handle strong emotions and behaviors when they are struggling. Take a look at your day and see where the most stressful and difficult parts are. Are there certain things you see or hear every day that remind your child of their trauma? You may choose to avoid some of those things for a period of time, or you might choose to be aware of what those things are and offer your child a hug or some extra support when you have to see them. Is your child terrified to be out in public or be separated from you? Do these things in short bursts, bring comfort objects like a stuffed animal, and offer your child praise and reassurance when they get through it. Having a realistic plan based on your child’s needs and capacity helps set you up for success.
Lean on your support system and take breaks when you can. This is especially true if you experienced trauma or stress along with your child – you are on your own journey and also need support. It makes a huge difference for your child when you can be consistent in responding calmly to their thoughts and behaviors, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Supporting a child who has been through trauma or stress takes patience, creativity, and a strong set of tools. This section offers practical strategies you can use at home—like building routines, improving communication, and finding your child’s strengths. You’ll also find tips for coaching your child as they build new skills, promoting healthy habits, and taking care of yourself along the way. You don’t have to do it perfectly—you just have to keep showing up. This toolkit is here to help make the journey a little easier, one step at a time.