How to get help for young California children after a serious injury

Sometimes parents just know their child needs special attention.

This is especially true for parents of children who have experienced serious traumatic events, such as domestic violence.

California over the past few years has created a range of programs and tools to help these families find the help they need.

They are rooted in studies of what is known as Adverse childhood experiences, or ACES, a term that encompasses the type of trauma that can result in disabling health and educational consequences for a young person.

“If we could treat children, we would have healthier adults,” he said The top five California Executive Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, whose organization supports early learning services across the state.

CalMatters published today special report on Mi Escuelitapreschool in San Diego that for almost 20 years has been building healing environment for young children exposed to trauma.

We also spoke with Wong to learn what California families need to know when they begin seeking help after trauma.

Here are some of her recommendations:

How do I know if my child needs extra attention?

If you start to notice a change from their normal behavior – a child who is usually well-behaved starts acting more reserved or becomes more reserved and quiet – it could be a sign of a deeper problem. Also watch for changes in their eating or sleeping habits.

“Any change in normal behavior is a good time to wonder,” Wong said.

If you know your child is experiencing toxic stressbut you haven’t noticed changes in their behavior, you can still start looking for support. Untreated trauma in children, it can lead to low academic achievement and various health problems such as substance abuse, the development of eating disorders, heart disease and diabetes.

Who do I turn to for help?

Once you start to notice a change, you may naturally turn to Google to see if you can find any resources. While this can be helpful, it can also lead you down rabbit holes that can cause confusion or more stress during an already difficult time.

For Californians, California’s Top 5 Websites is a good place to start. Offers resources, tips and information about providers in your area, as well as information about how toxic stress can affect a child.

“It’s different from everyday stress, like missing a test or not knowing exactly how to tie a shoe,” Wong said. “We’re talking deeper, longer term.”

What about a doctor?

You can also contact a pediatrician who can perform a screening to see if a child or adult has been exposed to traumatic childhood events such as abuse, violence or neglect.

Once the evaluation is complete, the pediatrician will provide a treatment plan, education, and resources that parents can access to support their child.

What kind of support should my child receive at school?

Mental health services may vary depending on your child’s school. Some schools may offer counseling and intervention programs.

If you think your child may need mental health support, contact a school counselor or administrator who can provide more information about the services they offer.

This may result in a detailed plan from the school detailing the child’s accommodation. In California schools, this is known as individual education programor an IEP.

A recent CalMatters report highlights the on-site mental health services offered at Mi Escuelita in San Diego. However, this is not the only therapeutic preschool in the state. Below is a list of some of the other options.