Traumatic early childhood events

Trauma is a person’s response to a scary and threatening event. These events could be the death of a loved one, a house fire, an accident or a natural event like a tornado or wildfire. Traumatic events also include witnessing or experiencing abuse and violence. If you suspect a child has experienced a traumatic event, reach out for support from local Stark County resources.

Types of traumatic early childhood events

Traumatic early childhood events are experiences that compromise the safety and security of young children, ages birth to 3. These could include:

  • Accidents
  • Intentional violence (physical or sexual abuse)
  • Loss of a parent/caregiver
  • Neglect
  • Painful medical procedures
  • Yelling and threats of danger

It is important to know that what is considered trauma for one child might not be a trauma for another. It is always a good idea to seek out support from a professional counselor if you believe a child has been affected by an adverse childhood experience.

References

Helpful links

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Learn about significant risk factors for survivors of trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study

Discover how a study in obesity ended up uncovering important insights about childhood trauma.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

A guide to healing and moving forward after emotional and psychological trauma.

Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain

Find out what happens when a child experiences severe, prolonged adversity without the support of an adult or caregiver.

Helping Young Children and Families Cope with Trauma

Guidelines to help children and families identify, cope and heal from traumatic events.

Take the ACE Quiz

If you experienced a childhood of abuse and/or neglect, assess your risk for future health problems.

Types of Traumatic Experiences

Learn about the types of trauma from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.