Natural Disasters: PTSD Among Children

Natural disasters affect entire communities and can have devastating and long-lasting consequences (p.158 in Chapter 5). After experiencing such traumatic events, researchers have found that for many children, returning to structure and routine reduces anxiety and depression. Schools and school personnel are integral to recognizing and assisting in treatment of trauma-related symptoms in children following a natural disaster. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has published an article acknowledging that school personnel should be trained to handle the after-effects of natural disasters and to work in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies that provide support and counseling following such disasters.

http://www.psychology.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4-Responding-to-Natural-Disasters-Helping-Children-and-Families-Information-for-School-Crisis-teams1.pdf

After reading “Responding to Natural Disasters: Helping Children and Families: Information for School Crisis Teams,” consider the questions below. Then submit your responses.

Question 1

DqDrY6pc1BS6S5SSRdXEgc2Q8G7ixu4AeO3C+SBcKETtKuawmuLbiKye1rMQN629dg52Jz33ZUm3BN+UhTYAVe9lpX2hmJX9AvGNCOdohxbgZVkfxJXY18V33BCqLWSdQCJfEoNQnqIZLJstylyA+3pKT17peh3O0/VHTJZmhAG7JjlVDogZGgkoZLRNzdP4RLWWfJQo2o8NdIz09WbwHthTmnyFNaWtysGvR0jpVuNJ562FN027A1tGdLCO6JRcarZ18VTzwpQX63yppEsm6/9m68nIU6I/OF/w9oSUSjn8WJgLBEHYRCSHiy6QMPqoMEna6x5sb/v2ewikNjKHMEHIPmknavCs42SPuW1FisGgTGcLKttETqc8IaAeciRoP3vCgS4Gd5Ctlih+omearZubf1Nm1bamnNV2OcH3No74y4Kjfm8xLTfwSsc5ZTmiG5SifB3uT8f5vWZpwKkKvQ==
Which of the following is not a noted typical reaction of preschoolers following a natural disaster?

Question 2

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
La Greca and colleagues developed a manual for professionals working with elementary-school-aged children following natural disasters. Which of the following is not a key component of the manual? 

Question 3

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

Question 4

gGgrJS/MFnVDnqXe1BM40K+MNU9wUBOQnLMUjFLcdfw7ePBMOKZymO90IMwUY54+jQqvAueaI3fVl/W9dW2EDccgY/vdH8vdWbWWiWhDfWZ+3Ku8Ry8HOCVhk+3JKeWBqC5uR0RWGiBQtRrq/KCItxEeMws9SxvVrPjz8eJe5ItXlZTpRY5BptnHnmoRO3pUKk3DZ0iVsvo2mIJmEXA7T3Tj9WIHrzZiEQ+uoJjDIciv9ov/JFg20E8xbgk2GdT575CEUrMLv0+1DpOBVTAMmzohUBmbL++I0an8Mm2exlxGGgPXXj9BDxpcMaodRCGYQ68RmFvMsEFVcXiDmX++phB1qlcLBFzEWsM/HazQvO1Tebs817aFBZlXzMMyCVX9pRY8xMgag2yTsceGI/pG6hSW1Oow/lUQJ815xhsoPLaIORIY
According to the article certain characteristics or experiences heighten a child’s risk of developing PTSD following a natural disaster. Name at least two characteristics or experiences that would likely result in long-term difficulties for a child.
Answers will vary. One possibility: (1) their physical safety was threatened and (2) they lost their home.

Question 5

0H6PLN09u5CYunOGSIEG4g+3KU59+IiyRVx28z59eVn1/8xX3btPwOfloF8OHni3mz0jCiUuqI+2h4hXeTfOeiGWxMwGMyI4STdkIiyKTXWHoxa6TwVgo71mEewDMdsyknvFy0/5Q6izNHki8HmTCG9rfTZZQovoXH8AOSv7nkBBFLyMywMpX2JHOSM=
Answers will vary. Some possibilities: loud noises, including thunder, and the smells of smoke and burning rubber.

Note: Web links in this activity lead you to external sites. Some URLs change frequently and may appear as broken links. If you encounter a broken link, try searching for the article or organization in your Web browser or click here to see if a replacement link is provided. To report a broken link, contact technical support through the help option in LaunchPad.