Trauma-informed care (TIC) is defined by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network as medical care in which all parties involved assess, recognize and respond to the effects of traumatic stress on children, caregivers and healthcare providers.
The resources below, including resources from the AAP Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment, and Resilience (PATTeR) project, provide information and guidance on implementing TIC in pediatric settings.
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updated resources to hang up in your clinic or share with families and caregivers, including new infographics now available in Spanish.
PATTeR Video Case Vignette Series
The Pediatric Approach to Trauma, Treatment and Resilience (PATTeR) video case vignette series below demonstrate an effective workflow for screening, referral, and follow-up for trauma. The series is broken into three videos; 1) Attachment, Resilience, and Trauma; 2) Shared Power and Difficult Conversations; and 3) Talking to Teens About Trauma. Each full video is further broken down in shorter clips for teaching points.
Video 1: Attachment, Resilience and Trauma
In this video you will see how the pediatrician engages with his 9-year-old patient Jake and his mom and demonstrates predictable compassionate availability, allowing the family to feel safe to express their distress and helping them regulate that distress. The pediatrician models surveillance, screening, and resilience by asking open ended questions and starting from a resiliency approach.
Section 1 – Engagement
Section 2 – Attachment
Section 3 – Surveillance
Section 4 – Screening
Section 5 – Resilience
Section 6 – Trauma reactions
Section 7 – Naming feelings
Section 8 – Setting up the framework
Video 2: Shared Power and Difficult Conversations
In this video the pediatrician reengages with his 9-year-old patient Jake and his mom and demonstrates how nonverbal communication can help regulate and help promote healing. The pediatrician explains the concept of the “invisible suitcase” and refers to a trauma informed mental health provider for therapy.
Section 1 – Reengagement
Section 2 – Nonverbal communication
Section 3 – Matching affect
Section 4 – Invisible suitcase
Section 5 – Regulating emotions
Section 6 – Referral
Section 7 – Wrapping up
Video 3: Talking to Teens About Trauma
In this video the pediatrician engages with his teen patient, demonstrates the steps in talking with teens about trauma and explains the importance of displaying acceptance, curiosity, and empathy.
Section 1 – Steps in talking to teens
Section 2 – Acceptance
Section 3 – Curiosity
Section 4 – Empathy